Click to read the article in Turkish
An investigation has been launched against Food Engineer Asst. Prof. Dr. Bülent Şık on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization".
While the social media posts of Şık have been cited as the reason for the investigation, his articles published on bianet entitled "The Dirt of War is Permanent Though Arms Quiet Down", "Robin Williams, Spinach and Lentil Stew and Nitrates" and "Gaza, Syria and Turkey: Is a Common Future Possible?" have also been included in his investigation file.
Şık made his deposition
As part of the investigation, Bülent Şık made his deposition at the İstanbul Courthouse Press Crimes' Prosecutor's Office on January 15.
The prosecutor of the case asked Şık whether he had anything to say about the content of his articles. Şık answered that his articles are about public health and nutrition and added that the articles do not contain any elements propagandizing for a terrorist organization.
"Smearing the operations"
In an official letter sent to the Anti-Terror Department by the İstanbul Provincial Security Directorate, it was stated that the social media account of Şık was examined and "it was determined that he posted messages aimed at smearing the operations conducted by the State of the Republic of Turkey."
Ambiguity of jurisdiction
The 19-page investigative report regarding the social media posts of Bülent Şık was prepared by the Department for Fighting Against Cybercrimes of Antalya Provincial Security Directorate on February 2, 2018 and sent to the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
However, on the ground that the related posts were shared while Şık was in İstanbul, the report was sent to the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Bakırköy 17th Heavy Penal Court has ruled that the competent Prosecutor's Office in the case is the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office "considering that the offence in question was committed in its jurisdiction."
About Bülent ŞıkFood Engineer. In his PhD studies, he specialized in the development of environmentally friendly methods of analysis. He worked for several laboratories operating as part of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. In 2009, he started working as lecturer at the Akdeniz University and took active part in the establishment of its Food Security and Agricultural Research Center. From 2010 to 2015, he was the Technical Deputy Director at the same center. While he was working as a lecturer at the Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, he was discharged as per the Statutory Decree no. 677 on November 22, 2016. |
(TP/SD)
