MEDIA MONITORING DATABASE
Artı Gerçek correspondent Rıfat Doğan – Trial for “without authorization, recording of sound and image”
RELATED PERSON OR INSTITUTION
Rıfat Doğan
CITY
Tekirdağ
YEAR OF INTERFERENCE
2019
LAST UPDATED
08/12/2020
TYPE OF STATEMENT
Political
MEDIUM
Internet
Social Media Account
THE TITLE OF WHOSE RIGHT IS INTERFERED
Journalist
RIGHTS GUARANTEED UNDER THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Right to Impart Information and Ideas
TYPE OF INTERFERENCE
Judicial Interference
Criminal Courts
Decision of acquittal
THE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR INTERFERENCE
Turkish Penal Code
Art. 286

The Çorlu Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation against journalist Rıfat Doğan on July 30, 2019, for allegedly shooting photos in the courtroom during the hearing of the Çorlu case took place on July 3, 2019.

After Doğan gave a statement as part of the investigation, the prosecutor’s office had told him that a case would not be opened against him in case he agreed to pay a fine of 900 lira (~130 USD).  After he has refused to pay the fine, an indictment against him was prepared on October 22, 2019. He was charged with violating Turkish Penal Code Article 286/1, which says, “Any person who, without authorization, records, or transfers, audio or visuals arising from the process of investigation or prosecution shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment up to six months.”

The second hearing of Doğan’s trial was held on June 23, 2020 at Çorlu 4th Penal Court of First Instance in Tekirdağ.

The reporter denied that he shot the video and said shared videos and images he found online during the break of the hearing. “I shared footage on the internet because of journalism. I request my acquittal,” he said.

His attorneys, Deniz Özen and Elif Sıla Aşık, demanded witnesses be heard. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the case until 8 December (23 June).

At the final hearing held on December 8, 2020, the court board has ruled that journalist Rıfat Doğan shall be acquitted (December 8).