Upon a tip-off to the Ankara Provincial Security Directorate, journalist Derya Okatan faced an investigation over the news posted on the Twitter and Facebook accounts of the Etkin News Agency (ETHA) in 2018, when she was the Managing Editor of ETHA. 

The investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office since 2019 has been finalized. The indictment charging the journalist with “successively propagandizing for a terrorist organization” has been accepted by the Ankara 4th High Criminal Court. The first hearing of the case will be held on October 13, 2021 (August 27).

At the hearing held on October 13, 2021, the court board ruled that a writ should be written to the İstanbul 29th High Criminal Court. The next hearing will be held on January 26, 2022 (October 13).

At the hearing held on January 26, 2022, the prosecutor’s office pronounced its opinion as to the accusations and demanded prison sentence for journalist Okatan. The court board gave additional time to Okatan and her lawyer so that they would prepare their statements as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on April 21 (January 26).

At the hearing held on April 21, 2022, the court ruled that Derya Okatan should be sentenced to pay a judicial fine of 25 thousand Turkish Lira (TRY) on charge of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”. Giving 10 days to the journalist to make a down-payment, the court indicated that the trial would continue if the payment was not made. The next hearing will be held on September 22 (April 21).