The Constitutional Court announced its decision on the case of Murat Sabuncu, the former editor-in-chief of the Cumhuriyet Newspaper, on his allegations of rights violations regarding the lawfulness of his detention.
The Court stated that “Regard being had to the facts that the news, articles and headlines published in the said newspaper within the period when the applicant was the editor-in-chief as well as his social media posts aimed at undermining persistently the State’s struggle against the PKK and the FETÖ/PDY, which went beyond the purpose of criticism and reporting news; that the messages given through these materials was intended to disunite the society; and that an impression was tried to be created to the effect that these organizations were innocent and victim, it is neither unfounded nor arbitrary to consider these facts as a strong indication of the applicant’s guilt.”
The Court found no violation in the case. Six judges did not agree with the majority’s opinion and in dissenting opinions they stated that there has been violation of the right to liberty and security as well as freedom of speech and press.
