FATMA KESEN
Ahmet Erkan Yiğitsözlü, a journalist for KHK TV who was dismissed from Anadolu Agency (AA) by a decree law, has been sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” The verdict was delivered today (October 15, 2024) by the Osmaniye 2nd High Criminal Court.
The trial, which also included charges of "violating the law on the prevention of terrorist financing," ended with the court ruling against Yiğitsözlü. Despite his lawyer Günal Kurşun’s defense and repeated requests for acquittal, the court found Yiğitsözlü guilty. The prosecution argued for conviction, and the court took a break before announcing the final decision.
Yiğitsözlü, who had been released following his initial detention in November 2022, attended the hearing along with his lawyer and representatives from the KHK Platform. The courtroom was noted for its heavy police presence.
Yiğitsözlü was originally detained on November 15, 2022, as part of an investigation conducted by the Osmaniye Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. He was released two days later by the Osmaniye Criminal Judgeship of Peace but has been under judicial review since then.
