Prosecutor’s Office Says SETA Report on Journalists within Freedom of Expression

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A verdict of non-prosecution has been given for the report entitled "International Media Outlets' Extensions in Turkey" by the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA).

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) filed a criminal complaint against the Foundation on July 8, indicating that the SETA targeted and blacklisted journalists with the report.

The Press Crimes Bureau of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office responded to the complaint of the MLSA today (August 1) and has given a ruling of non-prosecution for the report.

In his petition to the Office, the MLSA previously requested that the Foundation be charged with "inciting the public to enmity and hatred", "recording of personal data" and "encouraging to commit crimes."

As reported by the MLSA, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has concluded that the elements of the offenses did not arise and the report is "within the scope of freedom to expressing opinions."

Ok: The ruling is very ironic

Speaking about the verdict of non-prosecution, MLSA Co-Director lawyer Veysel Ok has stated the following:

"It is very ironic that a ruling of freedom of expression has been given. Because it shows that the Prosecutor's Offices, which constantly file lawsuits against the activities of journalists who practice their profession and bring various terror charges against them, think that freedom of expression is a right only worthy of pro-government institutions and media organizations.

"We will raise our objection against this ruling and we will also make local and international legal mechanisms operate."

'Freedom of expressing opinions'

In the ruling notified to the MLSA, it has been indicated that the elements of the crimes "openly inciting the public to enmity and hatred" as per the Article 214 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and "openly inciting to commit crimes" as per the Article 216 of the TCK did not arise.

The Office has also concluded that the elements of the crime "unlawful recording of personal data" did not arise, indicating that "the information cited in the report about the journalists is not a type of information that is not known by everyone or cannot be accessed easily and the information is related to subjects previously reported in the press."

Regarding the charge of "disturbing individuals' peace and harmony", the Office has ruled that the elements of this crime did not arise, either.

"The act of the suspects has been evaluated within the scope of freedom of expressing opinions", the Prosecutor's Office has indicated further and given a verdict of non-prosecution. (EKN/SD)