Journalist Sued For Calling Torture Case A “Scandal”

İstanbul Prosecutor Vedat Bilgin launched a prosecution against Milliyet newspaper reporter Kemal Göktaş for covering an article on a comparison between criminal charges of police officers suspected of torture and a relative man of torture victim woman who insulted those police officers. 

Göktaş reported on the story of Fevziye Cengiz, an Izmir resident who was allegedly assaulted by policemen in Karabağlar Police Station.  

Göktaş told bianet that he would make his statement on November 14. The article that originated his trial was about a case where one police officers have been charged with 1 year of prison and other with no charges. On the other hand, another 

Intended to create a “different understanding”

The indictment stated that by overtly giving out Prosecutor Er’s name, it was intended to portray a different understanding of the case on the eyes of the public in a way that the prosecutor unjustly favored the defendant police officers - an act that violated ECHR and domestic judiciary. 

Accused of insulting through news coverage 

Prosecutor Bilgin has charged Göktaş with “overtly insulting a public officer” - a violation criminalized with 14 to 28 months of prison. 

However, the indictment does not “clearly” cite which statement Göktaş used to insult Prosecutor Er.   

On the other hand, a nolle prosequi was issued for charges on “attempting to influence judicial officers”. 

A former reporter at Vatan newspaper, Göktaş has been acquitted along with Milliyet newspaper reporter Gökçer Tahincioğlu in 2009 from charges related to covering critical pieces on the “general surveillance permission”. They have received two awards, Journalist Society of Turkey (TGC) Freedom Expression Award and Metin Göktepe Journalism Award. (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.