Hearing news

Journalist Kazım Güleçyüz released after first hearing in trial over post about Gülen’s death

 

EYLEM SONBAHAR

Kazım Güleçyüz, editor-in-chief of Yeni Asya, was released at the first hearing of his trial after being charged with "making terrorist propaganda" over a social media post following the death of Fethullah Gülen. The hearing was held at Istanbul 28th High Criminal Court, nearly two months after Güleçyüz’s detention on October 23, 2024.

Two other individuals are being tried alongside Güleçyüz, one of whom remains in custody.

Güleçyüz defends his post as lawful and critical

Güleçyüz appeared in court under heavy security and began his defense by criticizing his detention as a violation of his rights. "I’ve been a journalist for 33 years, with a career spanning 46 years in publishing. Until October 23, 2024, I had never been arrested despite undergoing investigations and trials. This detention disregarded the presumption of innocence and caused significant harm," he said.

Güleçyüz argued that his post did not constitute propaganda, stating:
"Saying I praised someone I have criticized for years is legally indefensible. I advocate for democracy and justice. A condolence message being grounds for arrest and detention undermines hopes of societal normalization."

Co-defendants challenge claims of propaganda

  • Defendant Ö.D., who is also in custody, claimed they could not access their social media account due to a forgotten password: "I have no connections to any groups hostile to the state. I don't even know who used my account."
  • Defendant R.Y., who is not in custody, argued that the accused post referenced Said Nursi, a Kurdish theologian unrelated to Fethullah Gülen. They added, "If the prosecution examined my other posts, they would see my criticisms of these groups.”

Defense lawyers call charges baseless

Güleçyüz’s lawyer, Mustafa Özbek, asserted that the social media post did not meet the legal requirements for propaganda: "This accusation is unsupported by facts. My client has not promoted any illegal organizations."

Lawyers for other defendants similarly dismissed the prosecution’s claims as speculative, arguing that none of the accused posts glorified terrorism or induced sympathy for illegal groups.

Prosecution calls for continued detention

The prosecutor requested the continued detention of all defendants, citing the need to ensure judicial procedures.

Court orders release of Güleçyüz and one other defendant

After deliberation, the court ordered the release of Kazım Güleçyüz and one other defendant. However, it extended the detention of co-defendant E.A., whose testimony has yet to be heard. The trial was adjourned to March 4, 2025.

Case background

Güleçyüz was detained following an October 21, 2024, social media post about Fethullah Gülen’s death, which expressed condolences and called for an end to perceived injustices committed in the name of combating the Gülen movement. Prosecutors claim the message amounts to "terrorist propaganda." Critics view the trial as emblematic of broader concerns over freedom of expression and the use of anti-terror laws to target dissent in Turkey.

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