Örüç, who was detained while covering a demonstration, has been acquitted of charges

The fourth hearing of the trial of journalist Vedat Örüç on charges of “violation of the Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “insulting a public official," took place at the 18th Criminal Court of First Instance of Istanbul on 1 July 2022.

Örüç and his lawyers attended the hearing, which was monitored by P24. The prosecutor presented his opinion as to the accusations and demanded Örüç’s acquittal on both charges, stating lack of sufficient evidence for sentencing that indicated his participation in the act subject to trial. The opinion of the prosecution asserted that “there were no images of Örüç, which showed his actual and direct participation in the act, in the video recordings taken by law enforcement officers and it was established that the defendant was recording with his camera at the place where the incident had occurred.” The opinion also stated that “it was not established that Örüç had insulted public officials.”

Örüç’s lawyers stated that they agreed with the opinion of the prosecution and demanded Örüç’s acquittal.

The court asserted that “the defendant’s act of taking photographs of and recording the incident subject to the offence cannot serve as sufficient evidence of his participation in the act” and ruled for Örüç’s acquittal on grounds of lack of material evidence that he had committed the alleged offence.