The trial of Şahinli, who has been imprisoned pending trial in another case, on charges of “terrorism propaganda” was adjourned until 12 June 2023

HAYRİ DEMİR, ANKARA

The second hearing in the trial of Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Ceylan Şahinli on charges of “terrorism propaganda” due to three demonstrations she allegedly attended and three social media posts shared in 2017 was held at the Ankara 20th High Criminal Court on 24 April 2023. Şahinli has been in pre-trial detention since 29 October 2022 as part of another case.

Şahinli arrived at the courtroom accompanied by three gendarmeries for the hearing, which P24 monitored. Şahinli’s lawyer Resul Temur attended the hearing from Diyarbakır via the judicial videoconferencing system (SEGBİS).

Journalists who wanted to monitor the hearing were not let into the courtroom on the grounds that there was not sufficient space. Journalists who were denied entry to the courtroom, which has a capacity of 10 people wanted to meet with the presiding judge to insist on following the hearing. However, the court usher di not allow the journalists to meet the presiding judge.

According to information provided by lawyer Resul Temur, Şahinli delivered her defense and denied the charges. Stating that none of the demonstrations she had attended were illegal, Şahinli said that the social media account with posts subject to the charges did not belong to her.

Şahinli criticized her imprisonment and the indictment being filed in 2022, despite the actions subject to the charges taking place in 2017 and said, “I have a different interpretation of why a case was filed against me after my imprisonment.”

At the end of the hearing, which lasted for about 10 minutes, the court ruled to request a copy of the indictment of the case in which Şahinli is placed in pre-trial detention and to inquire with the Ankara Chief Prosecutor’s Office about whether there are other pending investigations concerning Şahinli. The trial was adjourned until 12 June 2023.

Background of the case

An indictment for “terrorism propaganda” was drafted against Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ceylan Şahinli on 5 December 2022, immediately after she was imprisoned pending trial as part of a separate investigation.

Among the social media posts cited in the indictment was a post by HDP Parliamentary Group Deputy President Meral Danış Beştaş on 12 May 2017.

The first hearing in the trial was held on 7 March 2023. Şahinli and her lawyer had submitted an excuse not to attend the first hearing.