'It's my duty as a journalist to publicize what happens at the court'

Rıfat Doğan (m) refuses allegations.

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Rıfat Doğan, a reporter for Artı Geçrke news site, is on trial for allegedly shooting a video and sharing it online during a hearing of the Çorlu train derailment case on July 3, 2019.

Twenty-five people, including seven children, lost their lives in the train derailment in Tekirdağ's Çorlu district in 2018.

The second hearing of Doğan's trial was held today (June 23) at Çorlu 4th Penal Court of First Instance in Tekirdağ.

The reporter denied that he shot the video and said shared videos and images he found online during the break of the hearing. "I shared footage on the internet because of journalism. I request my acquittal," he said.

His attorneys, Deniz Özen and Elif Sıla Aşık, demanded witnesses be heard. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the case to December 8.

"I will continue to follow the search for justice"

Speaking to bianet after the hearing, Doğan said he fulfilled his journalistic duty and would continue to follow the families' search for justice.

"As I said in my defense statement, I shared the footage that was shot during the brawl that was caused by aggrieved families not being allowed to enter the courtroom. This is part of my profession. Because I had to publicize what happened inside and I did that.

"Unfortunately, this has become a subject of accusation and therefore I am on trial. I will continue pursuing news in the Çorlu train massacre case for the aggrieved families' search for justice and for those really responsible to stand trial."

Doğan added that he would do his best as a journalist against such a tragedy to be forgotten.

What happened?

The Çorlu Public Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation against Doğan on July 30, 2019, for allegedly shooting photos in the courtroom during the hearing of the Çorlu case.

After Doğan gave a statement as part of the investigation, the prosecutor's office had told him that a case would not be opened against him in case he agreed to pay a fine of 900 lira (~130 USD).

After the reporter refused to pay the fine, an indictment against him was prepared on October 22, 2019. He was charged with violating Turkish Penal Code Article 286/1, which says, "Any person who, without authorization, records, or transfers, audio or visuals arising from the process of investigation or prosecution shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment up to six months." (HA/VK)