Journalist Doğan Akın Sued for 'Aiding FETÖ' over Reports on Tweets

Click to read the article in Turkish

Doğan Akın, the founder and the editor-in-chief of the T24 news portal, has been sued for reporting on 108 tweets posted by an account named, "Fuat Avni," which is linked by authorities to the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ)."

While the indictment said that "it is determined that Akın does not have hierarchical connection with the organization and that he published numerous news reports and articles against the organization," it requested Akın be tried for "willingly and knowingly aiding the organization despite not being a member of the organization."

The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) could not find any financial relation between Akın and FETÖ members after 2013, according to the indictment.

Akın is facing from 5 to 15 years in prison as the indictment is accepted by the İstanbul 25th Heavy Penal Court.

The "Fuat Avni" account was active between 2013 and 2016 and targeted the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in its tweets. The account, which had hundreds of thousands of followers, claimed to be giving information from inside the party.

Several people were detained in an investigation against the account, which is linked by authorities to the FETÖ, which is held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt.

Journalists from the dilay BirGün were also sued for reporting on tweets by "Fuat Avni." (EKN/VK)