EYLEM SONBAHAR
The first hearing in the defamation trial of BirGün journalist İsmail Arı and BirGün.net managing editor Yaşar Gökdemir was held at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The case stems from a report on allegations of fraudulent diplomas and corruption at the Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KTSÜ), founded by Ece Uysal, the wife of MHP Mersin MP Levent Uysal.
The article, titled "Data erased in Northern Cyprus on MHP MP’s orders," suggested that digital records at the university were deleted under Levent Uysal’s directive. Both Uysal and his wife filed a criminal complaint against the journalists, accusing them of defamation.
Journalists deny defamation, cite public interest
At the hearing, both defendants rejected the charges, arguing that the report was in the public interest and based on credible sources.
- İsmail Arı: “I have been a journalist for five years. Sharing this report was part of my journalistic duty. There was no intent to defame. The article was initially published by Kıbrıs Postası and is in the public interest.”
- Yaşar Gökdemir: “We reported on an ongoing investigation in Cyprus that holds significant news value. We had no intent to defame. I do not accept the charges.”
The journalists’ lawyer, Tolgay Güvercin, highlighted the cross-border nature of the allegations:
“This case concerns an alleged crime in Cyprus, making its prosecution in Turkey legally questionable. Furthermore, the report falls under the protection of press freedom and public interest journalism.”
Plaintiffs allege harm from baseless claims
Levent and Ece Uysal’s attorney, Ferhat Pamuk, argued that the report targeted his clients unfairly:
“The defendants have made baseless accusations that harm my clients’ reputation. Such reports cannot be considered protected under press freedom. The court should allow my clients to join the case as injured parties.”
Court decisions and next steps
The court accepted the Uysal family’s request to participate as plaintiffs in the case. It also ordered the inclusion of related case files, as requested by the prosecutor, to determine any connections between the cases.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2025.
Background and broader implications
The article in question explored allegations of irregularities at KTSÜ, including claims that digital records were erased on Levent Uysal’s orders. The report followed earlier coverage by Kıbrıs Postası, which also scrutinized the university’s operations.
This case raises concerns about press freedom, as journalists increasingly face legal challenges in Turkey for reporting on politically sensitive issues. Advocacy groups argue that defamation lawsuits are often used to silence critical journalism.
