July 4, 2024
Eylem Sonbahar
The long-running trial involving employees of Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and lawyers from the Oppressed Law Office (EHB) has been postponed again after six years of proceedings. The Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court decided to send the case file to the prosecution for the preparation of the final opinion regarding the merged case files.
The 27th hearing involved 23 defendants, including ETHA editor İsminaz Temel, former reporter Havva Cuştan, EHB lawyers, and the co-chair of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), Özlem Gümüştaş. Accusations include "membership in a terrorist organization" and "making terrorist propaganda."
Though the journalists did not attend, defendants Sezin Uçar, Özlem Gümüştaş, and Ali Haydar Doğan were present with their lawyers.
Sezin Uçar, who defended herself regarding the merged case file, emphasized her long-standing legal career and described the case as politically motivated and baseless. She requested the removal of her judicial control measure, which required her to sign in twice a week.
Following Uçar, Özlem Gümüştaş stated that the investigation against her started based on an informant’s testimony, later turning into a legal case without any new evidence. She also requested the removal of her judicial control measures.
The court inquired whether Uçar and Gümüştaş knew the informant, to which both responded negatively. After their statements, the court decided to send the merged indictment to the prosecution for the preparation of the final opinion.
The court lifted the signing requirement for Özlem Gümüştaş but maintained it for Sezin Uçar. The trial has been adjourned to November 13.
