MLSA - Journalist Zeynep Kuray was called to give a statement due to her social media posts and news reports about the encirclement of environmentalists guarding the Akbelen forests by gendarmerie and the alleged torture and arrest of a young protester.
Accompanied by the MLSA Legal Unit, journalist Zeynep Kuray stated in her testimony that she was in Akbelen for journalistic activities. She witnessed the torture and arrest of a protester, which she shared as part of her journalistic duty. Kuray is being accused under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, known as the "disinformation law," which addresses the issue of "publicly spreading misleading information." She emphasized that her news report contained no false information and was a part of her journalistic responsibilities to inform the public.
Lawyer Fatih Aydın from the MLSA Legal Unit, accompanying journalist Kuray, cited the provisions of freedom of expression and press in the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. He reminded that the state is obligated to protect the freedom of expression and press of journalists, arguing that Kuray's actions fall under journalistic activities, and thus, a decision of non-prosecution should be made.
According to MLSA observation reports, at least 43 journalists have undergone investigations due to allegations of disinformation.
