EYLEM SONBAHAR
Journalist Yağmur Kaya has been acquitted in the "targeting" trial initiated following a complaint by Deputy Commander of the Gendarmerie General Command, Lieutenant General Musa Çitil.
The seventh hearing of the case against journalist Yağmur Kaya, who was represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), was held at the Aydın 2nd High Criminal Court. The trial was based on an allegation of "targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism efforts" following an interview with Eren Keskin, Co-President of the Human Rights Association (İHD).
The case stems from an interview published on August 20, 2020, in Artı Gerçek titled "Eren Keskin: Judges and prosecutors are afraid to arrest state officials for rape," which led to Çitil's complaint. Kaya did not attend the hearing today (February 27), but was represented by her lawyer Fatih Aydın.
'Journalists have a higher margin of freedom of expression'
Lawyer Aydın, participating in the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS) from the Istanbul Courthouse, argued for Kaya's acquittal. The prosecutor, in their opinion on the merits, also requested Kaya's acquittal.
In his defense, Aydın stated, "My client is a journalist and has exercised her freedom of expression. As known, according to the precedents of the Court of Cassation, Constitutional Court, and European Court of Human Rights, journalists have a higher margin of freedom of expression. The elements of the crime have not been constituted in this case. We request an acquittal."
Following Aydın's defense, the court decided to acquit journalist Yağmur Kaya.
