İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued an indictment against journalist Sabiha Temizkan over her tweet “Makhmour camp has been taken over by ISIS…” which she posted six years ago. Temizkan is charged with “propagandizing for a terrorist organization.”
On February 12, Sabiha Temizkan was summoned to depose over her message posted back in the year 2014 within the scope of an investigation for allgedly “inciting the public to enmity and hatred.” Represented by the Law and Media Studies Association (MLSA), Temizkan rejected the offense charged and stated that she was questioned pertaining 36 pages filled with shared social media posts.
The first hearing of the trial will be held on 25 June 2020 at the 35th High Criminal Court of Istanbul.
Temizkan did not attend the hearing to be held on 25 June by presenting a medical report. Her lawyer, Zelal Pelin Doğan, stated that Temizkan will be present at the next session and will give her defense. The court accepted the excuse and adjourned the trial until 22 September (25 June).
At the second hearing held on September 22, prosecutor requested prison term for Temizkan for “terrorism propaganda.” Court adjourned trial until 15 October to give time for preparation of defense statements (22 September).
At the third hearing held on October 15, 2020, her attorney requested time, stating that Temizkan could not attend the hearing due to health problems and she wanted to make defense before the court. The court board has ruled that Temizkan shall be given time for her defense as to the accusations again and for the last time. The next hearing will be held on October 22, 2020 (October 15).
Making her defense at the final hearing held on October 22, 2020, Temizkan said, “I shared a news report, but I forgot to attach the link. I do not think that I committed a crime with such a post. I request my acquittal.”
The court has handed down its judgement and ruled that Temizkan shall be sentenced to 1 year, 3 months in prison without suspending the execution of the sentence (October 22).
Examining the appeal against Temizkan’s prison sentence, the 3rd Penal Chamber of the İstanbul Regional Court of Justice acquitted the journalist on June 8, 2021 on the grounds that the legal elements of the crime had not been constituted (June 8).
