Sentencing journalists to prison greatly damages media freedom in Turkey, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative following Özgür Gündem trial

VIENNA, 3 April 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his disappointment over the court verdicts handed down today to a number of journalists and writers in the Özgür Gündem trial in Turkey.

Thirteen journalists and writers who participated in a solidarity campaign organized by the now closed Kurdish media outlet Özgür Gündem stood trial on charges related to terrorist propaganda. The Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court convicted Faruk Eren, Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, Fehim Işık, Celal Başlangıç, Öncü Akgül, İhsan Çaralan, Celalettin Can and Dilşah Kocakaya to 15 months in prison. All the sentences, with the exception of those against Can and Kocakaya, were deferred. In addition, former Chief Editor Hüseyin Aykol was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.

“Sentencing journalists to prison for showing solidarity with a prosecuted newspaper greatly damages the freedom of the media and freedom of expression in Turkey, by shrinking the space for a vibrant and pluralistic media environment. Solidarity of journalists with their colleagues is not a crime; the journalists are not terrorists,” Désir said.

The Representative also noted that Mehmet Şirin Taşdemir, Ömer Ağın, Veysel Kemer and Yüksel Oğuz, who were accused of sending letters to the newspaper, were acquitted.

“I urge the Turkish authorities to stop sentencing journalists to prison as punishment for their views. I repeat my call on Turkey to release all journalists who are behind bars for their work,” the Representative said.

Earlier statements on Turkey by the Representative can be found at www.osce.org/fom.