Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison, Journalist Öztürk Released

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Journalist Ece Sevim Öztürk, who was on trial on charges of "aiding a terrorist organization on purpose" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization", has been sentenced to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison yesterday (December 12). The court has released her "considering the period of time she was held arrested."

The prosecutor of the 37th Heavy Penal Court of İstanbul alleged that Öztürk "created a public opinion that the 2016 coup attempt was a sham", citing six tweets shared and one documentary film made by the journalist, entitled "The Darkest Day of the Naval Forces: July 15".

She was charged with "aiding the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ)", which is accused of organizing the coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

'We will appeal against the verdict'

The court has sentenced Öztürk to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison on the ground that she "aided a terrorist organization on purpose."

Considering the time Öztürk was held arrested, the court has ruled that she shall be released immediately. Öztürk has been banned from traveling abroad and will be subjected to judicial control.

Efkan Bolaç, the lawyer of the journalist, said on Twitter that they will appeal against the ruling.

What happened?

Journalist Ece Sevim Öztürk, the chief editor of Çağdaş Ses news website, which reports news from the coulisses of the main opposition party Republican People's Party (CHP), was detained on June 8, 2018.

After 14 days in custody, she was arrested on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization", because of the documentary film "The Darkest Day of the Naval Forces: July 15" she made.

In the indictment, she was accused of "creating an impression in favor of the putschists and the FETÖ by sharing material on social media under the guise of journalism" and "helping the FETÖ regroup by spreading lies about the judicial process after the coup attempt, such as the people who were being tried were innocent." (HA/VK)