EYLEM SONBAHAR
Journalist Buse Söğütlü, who was detained while covering the 21st Feminist Night March in Istanbul on March 8 last year, has been ordered to appear in court by force in a trial where she and four others face charges stemming from their detention at the event. The second hearing in the case took place at Istanbul’s 10th Criminal Court of First Instance, where one police officer testified in court.
Söğütlü faces charges of "insult," while two other women are accused of "resisting an officer" and "participating in an unlawful assembly and failing to disperse upon warning." Among the four police complainants is former Istanbul Security Branch Director Hanifi Zengin.
During the hearing, officer A.G. testified that Söğütlü allegedly called him a "thief and pervert" while he conducted a search, adding, "If this had been said while I was off duty, I might not have taken it seriously, but it was said while I was in uniform." When the judge asked why he did not immediately file a complaint, A.G. replied, "March 8 was an extremely busy day, and I worked until morning. I couldn't find the time to file a complaint until later."
Following A.G.’s statement, the court ordered the forced appearance of Söğütlü and one of the police officers. The judge also requested confirmation of the current work locations of Hanifi Zengin and another police officer from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department to ensure their attendance at the next hearing.
The trial is adjourned until June 26, 2025.
