A lawsuit was filed against journalists Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara on charges of “encouraging drug use” (Article 190) and “failure to report a crime” (Article 278) due to the documentary Met Çıkmazı, broadcasted in 2023. The first hearing will be held at the Bakırköy 13th Criminal Court of First Instance on October 31 (July 23th).
31 October 2024
The Bakırköy 13th Criminal Court of First Instance in Istanbul held the first hearing in the trial of journalists Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara, who face charges of “promoting drug use” and “failure to report a crime” over their documentary Met Çıkmazı (“Meth Dead End”). Öğreten stated in his defense that the film depicted the struggles and suffering of people involved with drugs and aimed to deter, not encourage, drug use. Baykara said they sought to fulfill a social responsibility by showing the hardships faced by addicts. The court ordered the formal summons of the individual who had filed a complaint with CİMER regarding the documentary and adjourned the trial until 25 March 2025. (31 October)
25 March 2024
At the hearing held at the Istanbul Bakırköy 13th Criminal Court of First Instance, the prosecutor stated that the journalists’ act remained within the scope of providing information and requested their acquittal. The court acquitted Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara.
