Oğuz was acquitted of “membership in a terrorist organization” but sentenced to 18 months and 22 days for “terrorism propaganda.” The announcement of the verdict was deferred

RUŞEN TAKVA, VAN

The seventh hearing in the trial of journalist Rojda Oğuz along with 55 people on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorism propaganda” was held at the Van 4th High Criminal Court on 16 September 2022.

Oğuz’s attorney Sedat Kulat was present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24. The prosecution repeated the opinion of the prosecution submitted at the sixth hearing on 21 April 2022 and demanded that Oğuz be acquitted on the charge of “membership of a terrorist organization” and convicted on the charge of “terrorism propaganda.”

Kulat stated that his client, who was on trial over some press statements and demonstrations in which she participated and social media posts, was a journalist. “Rojda Oğuz participated in the demonstrations and events forming the basis of charges as a journalist,” he said, adding that Oğuz’s social media outputs did not constitute terrorism propaganda as alleged by the prosecution. Kulat asked the court to acquit Oğuz.

The court announced its decision after the defense statements and ruled for Oğuz’s acquittal of “membership in a terrorist organization” while sentencing her to imprisonment of 18 months and 22 days on the charge of “terrorism propaganda.” The announcement of the verdict was deferred.