June 27, 2024
Journalist Zeynep Durgut and 17 women, who were detained by police while attempting to make a statement against violence toward women in Şırnak, have been acquitted of charges stemming from the incident.
The second hearing of the case against Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut and 17 other women, accused of "violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations" (Law No. 2911), was held at the Şırnak Criminal Court of First Instance. Although Durgut and the other defendants did not attend, their lawyers were present.
In his final opinion, the prosecutor noted that Durgut was at the scene as part of her journalistic duties and that the alleged crime did not apply to her, thus recommending her acquittal. However, the prosecutor sought the conviction of the 17 other women under the same law.
Defense lawyer Samet Ataman argued that the defendants were exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and demonstration. He emphasized that the Şırnak Governorate's ban on gatherings could not override constitutional rights and that the women were detained before they could even make their statement, rendering the charges invalid. Ataman also reiterated that Durgut was there to perform her duties as a journalist, which is not a crime.
The judge concluded that the legal elements of the alleged crime were not met and acquitted Durgut and the 17 women.
Background on the case
On November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, women in Şırnak attempted to make a statement at Ömer Kabak Square. Police intervened, detaining 21 individuals, including MA reporters Zeynep Durgut and Ömer Akın and JINNEWS reporter Rozerin Gültekin. During the detention, the journalists’ equipment was damaged. All detainees were released after giving statements on the same day.
The Şırnak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office indicted Zeynep Durgut and 17 women, including Asiye Akın, Asuman Külter, Ayşe Külter, Ayşete Atabey, Bedriye Katar, Elfesya Nas, Emine Özek, Evin Erden, Güler Yerbasan Tunç, Hatice Durmuş, Hatice Uyar, Kadriye Katar, Kıymet Acar, Meryem Eşkara, Songül Erden, Songül Küçük, and Zilan Yaman, for "participating in an illegal meeting and demonstration without arms and refusing to disperse despite warnings." The indictment excluded journalists Ömer Akın and Rozerin Gültekin, who received non-prosecution decisions.
The indictment mentioned that the Şırnak Governorate had banned all meetings, demonstrations, marches, and press statements in the city from November 22-28, 2023. It did not include the assault reports or statements indicating the detainees were subjected to police violence. The prosecutor argued that the police intervention was proportionate, failing to acknowledge that Durgut was a journalist covering the event and that the women had not dispersed despite warnings, leading to the use of force to end the demonstration.
