MLSA- An appeals court for has held a monetary fine for Die Welt Journalist Deniz Yücel, who was fined earlier for “publicly insulting a public official”. Yücel was fined 7,080 Turkish Lira for a tweet criticizing Hasan Yılmaz, Istanbul's then-acting Chief Public Prosecutor, who led the investigation that resulted in Yücel's year-long detention. Yılmaz currently serves as a Deputy Minister of Justice.
The appeal, filed by MLSA Legal Unit to overturn the initial ruling by the Istanbul 24th Criminal Court of First Instance, was reviewed by the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice, 24th Criminal Chamber. The appellate court rejected the appeal, upholding the fine for "publicly insulting a public official.". The MLSA Legal Unit, representing Yücel, plans to challenge this decision at the Court of Cassation.
Background:
Deniz Yücel was detained on February 14, 2017, while serving as Die Welt's correspondent in Turkey. His detention followed reports on hacked emails of Berat Albayrak, then Energy Minister and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's son-in-law, leading to charges of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "inciting public hatred and hostility." After a year in custody, Yücel was released on February 16, 2018.
The arrest and interrogation of Yücel were conducted under the authority of Hasan Yılmaz, who also led the investigation. Yılmaz is noted for drafting the second indictment against businessman and human rights advocate Osman Kavala, who has been in prison for over six years on charges of "political or military espionage" and "violating the constitution." This led to widespread criticism, including from Yücel, particularly after Kavala was re-arrested following a brief release.
Following his involvement in the Kavala case, Yılmaz was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice by a presidential decree signed by President Erdoğan. The lawsuit against Yücel was initiated based on allegations of insulting Yılmaz, resulting in a fine imposed by the Istanbul 24th Criminal Court of First Instance on February 8, 2022.
