Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that an investigation has been launched against journalist Can Ataklı, citing statements he made on the X social media platform and other social media accounts about the deaths of many soldiers in the operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Evaluating the statements as “negative and offensive”, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it was conducting an ex officio investigation against Ataklı for “inciting or humiliating the public to hatred and hostility” (Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code) (December 25).
10 October 2024
Journalist Can Ataklı was sentenced to 10 months in prison, with the sentence deferred, by the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of “inciting hatred and hostility.” At the second hearing held on 10 September 2024, the prosecutor had requested Ataklı’s conviction in their final opinion. On 10 October 2024, the court issued its verdict, sentencing the journalist to a deferred prison term of 10 months. (10 October)