DENİZ TEKİN
The second hearing in the trial of journalist Nurcan Yalçın, accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “violating the Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism,” was held at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. The court decided to continue Yalçın’s travel ban and approved the testimony of journalist Kibriye Evren as a witness.
Charges and defense
Yalçın faces allegations stemming from her professional activities as a journalist for JinNews, her work with the Rosa Women’s Association, and her social media posts. The case also involves accusations that she transferred money to Kibriye Evren, a jailed journalist, via Evren’s cellmate’s account, which prosecutors claim constitutes financing terrorism.
At the hearing, Yalçın stated that her actions were purely based on friendship and support for a colleague. “The person I transferred money to, Kibriye Evren, is my friend and colleague. I visited her in prison and deposited money into her cellmate Songül Aşıla’s account,” she said, rejecting the allegations.
Yalçın’s lawyer, Resul Temur, requested that Evren testify as a witness and that the court initiate procedures to hear testimony from Songül Aşıla, who is currently abroad. Temur also argued for the removal of the travel ban, stating that it hinders Yalçın’s ability to continue her journalism work freely.
Court’s rulings
The court rejected the request to lift the travel ban, citing ongoing investigations. It also merged Yalçın’s case with a separate file concerning alleged violations of the Law on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism.
The court agreed to summon Kibriye Evren as a witness and requested updates on an open investigation at the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The next hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2025.
Background on Yalçın’s legal troubles
Yalçın was first charged in 2020, accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” due to her journalistic activities and work with the Rosa Women’s Association.
In November 2021, the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court sentenced her to 2 years and 1 month for “committing crimes on behalf of a terrorist organization without being a member” and an additional 1 year, 6 months, and 22 days for propaganda. The sentences were overturned by the appeals court, which found that the relationship between the various charges had not been adequately investigated.
The current case was triggered by Yalçın’s transfer of 400 lira to a cellmate of Evren in prison, which prosecutors interpreted as financial support for terrorism. Yalçın has consistently denied all charges, asserting her innocence and highlighting the criminalization of her journalism and advocacy work.
