Expression Interrupted

Journalists and academics bear the brunt of the massive crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey. Scores of them are currently subject to criminal investigations or behind bars. This website is dedicated to tracking the legal process against them.

Journalist Pelin Özkaptan handed jail term for "terrorism propaganda"

Journalist Pelin Özkaptan handed jail term for

Özkaptan has been sentenced to 1 year 6 months and 22 days in prison over two social media posts. The sentence has been deferred

CANSU PİŞKİN, ISTANBUL

The third hearing in the trial of  journalist Pelin Özkaptan on the charge of “terrorism propaganda”  over two social media posts was held at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court on 9 October 2024.

Özkaptan's lawyers were present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24. Özkaptan did not attend the hearing.

The prosecutor repeated their final opinion on the case they presented in the second hearing held on 28 May and demanded that Özkaptan be sentenced for “terrorism propaganda.”

Özkaptan's lawyer Emine Özhasar stated that the elements of the impugned crime did not form and demanded acquittal: “The indictment is based on our client's tweets, which were included in the indictment as a result of the police's open source research report. Although the Constitutional Court (AYM) canceled the virtual patrol practice, the police continued this practice. According to Article 38 of the Constitution, evidence obtained in violation of the law cannot be accepted as evidence. This trial cannot be held on the basis of illegal evidence.”

Hazal Sümeli, one of Özkaptan's lawyers, said, “For the crime of propaganda to occur, there must first be propaganda. There is no propaganda, there is only an expression of thought,” and demanded Özkaptan's acquittal.

The court sentenced Özkaptan to 1 year 6 months and 22 days for “terrorism propaganda." The sentence was deferred.

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