DENİZ TEKİN
A police officer who assaulted journalist Ardıl Batmaz during a news assignment in Elazığ has been sentenced to a fine but will avoid immediate punishment due to a deferred ruling. The Elazığ 5th Criminal Court of First Instance convicted Officer Ömer Faruk Taş of "intentional injury" and imposed a 200-day judicial fine equivalent to 4,800 Turkish lira. However, the court deferred the announcement of the verdict (HAGB), meaning the sentence will not be enforced if Taş avoids reoffending.
Background of the incident
The assault occurred on April 26, 2022, during a visit to Elazığ by former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and then-Environment Minister Murat Kurum. While covering the event, Batmaz was attacked by Taş, a security officer for Elazığ Mayor Şahin Şerifoğulları. Batmaz filed a legal complaint, leading to the trial.
Court proceedings and defense arguments
At the final hearing, neither the defendant Taş nor the complainant Batmaz attended. However, Batmaz’s lawyer, Kader Arat, argued that the testimony of witness Hasan Celal Kaya, who allegedly participated in the assault, was unreliable and requested a separate investigation against him. She claimed Batmaz’s right to a fair trial was violated since Kaya's testimony was taken in their absence.
The court rejected this request, stating that Batmaz retained the right to file a separate complaint and that combining cases would prolong the trial unnecessarily.
Verdict and rationale
The prosecutor maintained that the evidence, including video footage, confirmed that Taş had committed an assault that required minor medical intervention. Despite this, the court deferred the sentence, citing Taş's clean record, the absence of significant damages claimed by Batmaz, and the belief that he would not reoffend.
Broader context
The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Turkey, particularly during political events. The deferred sentence (HAGB) means Taş will avoid any penalty if he does not commit another crime within a set period, a decision often criticized by rights advocates as failing to deter future assaults on journalists.
