Deniz Tekin
A Turkish court has sentenced Öznur Değer, news editor of the pro-Kurdish women's news agency JINNEWS, to 3 years, 4 months and 15 days in prison on charges of “making terrorist propaganda.” The verdict was delivered by the Mardin 2nd High Criminal Court despite the absence of Değer and her lawyers, who had formally submitted an excuse for missing the hearing.
The final hearing was held in the southeastern province of Mardin, with a heavy police presence surrounding the courtroom. The prosecutor reiterated his earlier opinion, claiming that Değer should be convicted for disseminating propaganda for a terrorist organization. The court rejected the defense’s excuse and proceeded to deliver the sentence without hearing defense statements from her lawyers.
Değer’s legal team announced that they would appeal the ruling at the regional appellate court.
The charges stem from Değer’s journalism activities. She was arrested on Feb. 7, 2025, following a police raid on her home in the Kızıltepe district of Mardin. She was detained and then formally arrested the same day, first placed in Mardin Type E Prison and later transferred to Erzincan Prison in eastern Turkey.
According to the indictment, several of Değer’s news reports and social media posts were cited as criminal evidence. The prosecution also referenced an incident during a condolence visit in the Midyat district for two journalists—Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin—who were killed in Syria. Değer’s reaction to a police officer’s comments during that visit was included as part of the charges. Prosecutors alleged that her actions went “beyond the limits of freedom of expression.”
At her first court appearance on May 22, Değer was released under judicial control, including a travel ban.
