Eylem Sonbahar
Journalist Barış Terkoğlu, who is on trial for a column alleging former chief prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu had ties to the criminal organization led by Adnan Oktar, stated in court that he had "proven all allegations" in his article.
The trial, based on a complaint filed by Salihoğlu, concerns Terkoğlu’s March 28, 2022, column titled "Arkadaş arkadaşın pelesengidir" published in Cumhuriyet newspaper. The journalist is accused of "publicly insulting a public official" in the case, which is being heard at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The seventh hearing took place with Terkoğlu and his lawyer, Enes Hikmet Ermaner, present, along with Salihoğlu’s lawyer, Cihan Köse. The trial was also observed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu.
The prosecutor reiterated the final opinion on the case, originally submitted on April 13, 2023. After Salihoğlu’s lawyer requested a verdict in line with the prosecutor’s opinion, Terkoğlu defended himself, saying, "I have written numerous articles about Hadi Salihoğlu. None contain insults. I have made certain accusations and claims, all of which align with visible reality."
Terkoğlu further noted that Salihoğlu’s security guard had been arrested, tried, and convicted in connection with the Adnan Oktar investigation. He also mentioned that Oktar had exchanged messages with certain judicial officials, adding, "The source of my claims is the Adnan Oktar case file. Witness testimonies confirm my allegations."
His lawyer, Enes Hikmet Ermaner, argued that the legal elements of the alleged crime were not present and requested Terkoğlu’s acquittal.
The court decided to wait for the outcome of another case involving Salihoğlu, which is being handled by the 5th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation under case number 2024/26. The trial was postponed to June 19.
