Journalist Acquitted on Anti-Terror Law

Birgün daily correspondent Alkan had been acquitted in a case where she was tried with rendering a public officer target for terrorist organizations regarding a news article she write on the infamous Spice Market explosion in 1988.

Erol Önderoğlu

Birgün daily correspondent Nezahat Alkan had been acquitted on a case where she was tried with "rendering a target for terrorist organizations" a judge via publishing his name in an article.

Alkan commented on the infamous case involving an explosion at Istanbul's historic Spice Market in 1988.

She was tried for publishing the name of the judge in an article about the proceeding of the case.

During the last sitting of her trial on World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the public prosecution said the alleged crime had not materialized and urged for Alkan's acquittal.

Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court adhered to this comment and acquitted her of "rendering target a public official who took part in anti-terror action".

The alleged crime is designated at article 6/1 of the Prevention of Terror Law (TMY), criticized by journalists' associations and law experts as an obstacle in front of press freedom.(EÖ/EÜ)

Origin

BÄ°A News Center

Erol Önderoğlu

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A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without...

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where he began as a reporter in 1996. Since 1999, he has worked at bianet, a project of the IPS Communication Foundation, as the coordinator of the Legal Support Desk, editor for freedom of expression, and editor-in-chief. He has authored more than 4,800 signed news articles and opinion pieces. He has also written for Bizim Gazete and the journal Güncel Hukuk. He currently prepares the Media Monitoring Reports at bianet.