Documentary director Sibel Tekin was acquitted in a case where she faced charges of being a member of a terrorist organization, based on footage she filmed for her documentary "Karanlıkta Başlayan Hayat" (Life Starting in the Dark). The sixth hearing of her trial took place today, March 5, 2024, at the Ankara 26th High Criminal Court, attended by Tekin, her lawyers, and numerous observers, including representatives from civil society organizations.
An incident occurred at the start of the hearing when an attendee was escorted out of the courtroom by a court official for taking a photograph.
Tekin and her attorney Mehtap Sakinci declared they had no comments on the recent documents submitted in the case. The prosecutor, having prepared the final opinion, summarized it by stating that there was no evidence of Tekin being a member of any organization or using a code name, and hence there was insufficient evidence for a conviction.
Tekin and her legal team agreed with the prosecutor's final opinion. During the final statement, the presiding judge's remark about Tekin appearing to be nervous was notable. Tekin reiterated her request for acquittal.
The court, without adjourning, announced Tekin's acquittal from the charge of being a member of a terrorist organization.
The background of Tekin's case began with her arrest following a home raid on December 16, 2022, based on a tip-off after she filmed for her documentary in Ankara's Tuzluçayır district on December 15. She was detained and subsequently arrested on December 17, 2022. In the initial hearing of her trial on January 30, 2023, Tekin was released pending trial.
