Court Dismisses Case Against Cumhuriyet Reporter over 'Bribery' Report

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The criminal case against reporter Seyhan Avşar for "insulting a public official" has been dismissed.

The reporter for the daily Cumhuriyet stood trial for two news reports on the allegations of bribery in the cases against the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ)," which is held responsible for the 2016 coup attempt.

Two prosecutors investigating "key" cases were suspended from duty, the report said. According to the claims, the prosecutors were bribed by some "FETÖ suspects" and they were negotiating through police officers and lawyers.

The trial started today (January 17) at İstanbul 2nd Penal Court of First Instance. Neither Avşar, nor the complainant prosecutors Lütfi Karabacak and İsmail Bozkurt were present at the courtroom.

Avşar's attorney Buket Yazıcı said in the hearing that there were three separate indictments against her client, one for "violating privacy" and two for "insulting a public official."

She stated that the case against her was filed after the period of prescription, requesting the acquittal of her client without going into the merits of the case.

The presiding judge said, "Three charges can be in one indictment but there can't be three indictments for one charge."

The court stated that it dismisses the case as it was filed after the period of prescription, which is determined as four months in Article 4 of the Press Law.

The plaintiff's lawyer objected to the court's decision, said that they filed the case against an online article, which shouldn't be subjected to the Press Law.

The presiding judge said that he cannot withdraw his decision and that they can appeal the verdict. (HA/VK)