Three journalists and a social media user are facing up to 4.5 years in prison, while a lawyer could receive up to 6 years and 8 months, in a case tied to allegations about a prosecutor overseeing a corruption investigation into neonatal care units in private hospitals. The charges, based on Turkey’s Disinformation Law, stem from claims that the prosecutor was removed from the case, which were later denied by authorities.
Allegations spark legal action
The case revolves around public allegations by lawyer İrem Çiçek, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Nov. 1, 2024, that prosecutor Yavuz Engin had been removed from the "Newborn Gang" investigation. This probe involves allegations of bribery and document forgery by healthcare workers in neonatal units. News outlets, including Halk TV and Gazete Pencere, reported on the claim, prompting Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç to issue a denial the same day via X.
Minister Tunç stated that the prosecutor remained on the case and that a separate investigation into threats against the prosecutor was ongoing under the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Arrests and charges follow media reports
Despite the denial, lawyer Çiçek and journalists Dinçer Gökçe of Halk TV and Nilay Can of Gazete Pencere were detained on Nov. 3, 2024, alongside other individuals who shared the claim. The journalists were charged with "publicly disseminating misleading information," while Çiçek faced additional charges of "insulting a public official."
During questioning, Gökçe argued that the report was based on credible sources, including a well-known lawyer, but was corrected after Minister Tunç's denial. He emphasized that the original story remained online for only 10 minutes before being removed. Nilay Can similarly denied the allegations.
Çiçek defended her actions by recounting that a whistleblower, a nurse formerly employed at one of the implicated hospitals, had approached her with information about misconduct. The lawyer claimed she sought to bring these allegations to relevant authorities but was misdirected during attempts to provide testimony.
Court imposes restrictions
While all defendants were released under judicial control, the court placed different restrictions: the journalists were required to check in weekly at a police station, while Çiçek was placed under house arrest. The court also prohibited all defendants from leaving the country.
Prosecutor alleges public mistrust in judiciary
In the indictment, prosecutor Yusuf Demir accused the defendants of spreading falsehoods that undermined public trust in the judiciary and caused unnecessary panic. He claimed the allegations amounted to a broad attack on the judiciary’s credibility and stated the case was initiated ex officio.
Trial scheduled for January 2025
The indictment was accepted by the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, which modified the reporting conditions for the journalists to a travel ban. Additionally, Çiçek faces separate charges for a follow-up post that the indictment claims insulted members of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK).
The first hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22, 2025.
