The court has ruled that elements of the impugned crime have not formed

CANSU PİŞKİN, İSTANBUL

The second hearing in the trial of journalist Elif Akgül on the charge of “terrorism propaganda” was held at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court on 27 June 2024.

Akgül and her lawyers were present at the hearing, which P24 monitored.

Repeating their final opinion on the case they delivered at the previous hearing, the prosecutor demanded sentencing for Akgül on the charge of “repeated terrorism propaganda.”

Speaking against the prosecutor’s opinion, Akgül said, “My posts do not constitute an offense. I am innocent and I request my acquittal.”

In their defense against the opinion, Akgül’s lawyers cited the precedents of the European Court of Human Rights and Constitutional Court. The lawyers expressed that Akgül had exercised her right to freedom of expression in the posts subject to the trial, and requested the journalist’s acquittal.

Asked of her final word, Akgül said, “Speaking against war and demanding peace is my constitutional right. I am asking you to render a verdict that looks out for constituional rights of the citizens of the Republic of Turkey.”

The court decided to acquit Akgül, ruling that the elements of the impugned crime have not formed.

An investigation was launched by Samsun Security Directorate into Akgül’s social media posts on 21 November 2022. The report filed by the security directorate was conveyed to the Samsun Counter-Terrorism Branch. Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had then sent the investigation file to the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on decision of non-competence.

The indictment filed by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had cited Akgül’s retweet of Etkin News Agency’s reporting published on 18 October 2022 about Turkish Armed Forces’ alleged use of chemical weapons in Northern Iraq, and her post dated 20 January 2018 about Turkey’s military campaign into Afrin as evidence for the charge.