Eylem Sonbahar
A 100,000 Turkish Lira defamation lawsuit filed against journalist Furkan Karabay by Mustafa Doğan İnal, a former lawyer of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was dismissed by the Istanbul 21st Civil Court of First Instance. İnal's lawyer had accused Karabay of acting with a "triggerman mentality, far removed from the profession of journalism".
The lawsuit stemmed from a news report published on the Gerçek Gündem news website titled "Why did Erdoğan's lawyer threaten? Indictment issued in the armed attack where FETÖ Stock Exchange allegations exist". Despite the plaintiff's lawyer Mehmet İnal and representatives from the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS) being present, Karabay did not attend the second hearing but was represented by his lawyer, Enes Hikmet Ermaner.
During the hearing, lawyer Ermaner requested time to examine documents received from the Gaziantep 1st High Criminal Court, but the judge denied the request, stating that these documents were not directly related to the case.
Mehmet İnal, representing the plaintiff, reiterated his previous statements, arguing that Karabay continued his attacks through slander and defamation, despite numerous legal actions against him. He accused Karabay of masquerading his unlawful actions as journalistic work and acting against the principles of the noble profession of journalism.
In defense, Karabay's lawyer Ermaner maintained that his client was performing his duties as a journalist with public interest in mind and had no personal grudge against the plaintiff. He argued that the lawsuit was an attempt to intimidate and silence Karabay, who was merely reporting on matters of public concern. Ermaner also pointed out that the plaintiff's lawyer had insulted Karabay by calling him a triggerman during the proceedings, announcing plans to file a complaint about this.
After hearing the arguments, the judge asked if there was more to add beyond what was already submitted in written petitions. Ermaner responded by expressing a lack of expectation for a fair verdict but requested the dismissal of the lawsuit. The court subsequently ruled in favor of Karabay, dismissing the case.
