A lawsuit was filed against journalist Hayri Tunç on charge of “inciting the public to hatred and enmity” because of his social media post about the Maraş Massacre.
In the indictment prepared by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Media Crimes Bureau, it was claimed that Tunç’s posts were “provoking the public to have hostile feelings”, “exceeding the limits of reporting” and “posing an imminent danger to public safety”.
The indictment was accepted by the İstanbul 42nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The first hearing will be held on October 6 (June 15).
At the hearing held on October 6, 2022, the court adjourned the trial so that the deficiencies would be rectified. The next hearing will be held on December 6 (October 6).
At the hearing held on December 6, 2022, the prosecutor’s office presented its final opinion as to the accusations and demanded Tunç’s penalization on the grounds that he had committed the offense charged. The court board concluded that the elements of the crime had not been constituted and ruled that Tunç should be acquitted (December 6).