Another lawsuit filed against local journalist Özgür Boğatekin

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Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared a new indictment against Özgür Boğatekin, the editor-in-chief of Gerger Fırat newspaper, a local outlet in the southeastern Adıyaman province.

The journalist is charged with "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and "targeting people who were involved in the fights against terrorism."

On June 13, 2017, Boğatekin shared the video of an argument between Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Dersim (Tunceli) deputy Alican Önlü and Gendarmerie Sergeant Major S.Ç. from two days ago on Facebook.

"The petty officer who argued with HDP's Alican Önlü has become the Gerger Gendarmerie Commander," he had written.

This post of Boğatekin has been considered by prosecutors as "targeting people who were involved in the fight against terrorism."

In another Facebook post with the photo of a person wearing a local outfit called "leşkeri," Boğatekin said, "A warplane belonging to the YPG [People' Protection Units, a Kurdish-led group in the Syrian war] has been shown while conducting harassment flights in Turkey's airspace."

He has been charged with "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" because of this tweet. Turkey considers the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Giving a statement at the prosecutor's office, Boğatekin said his intention was not propaganda but he made a news report because the military officer was appointed to the district he lived in.

The prosecutor's office requested journalists to be penalized as per Articles 7/2 and 6/1 of the anti-terror law.

"Just another case"

The case has been combined with another lawsuit against Boğatekin.

Saying that he was facing charges because he was doing journalism, Boğatekin noted that there were also lawsuits filed against him previously.

The Adıyaman 2nd Heavy Penal Court sentenced him to 18 months and 22 days in prison for "propagandizing for a terrorist organization," he said.

"Lawyers brought the file to the Gaziantep Court of Appeal. The court overturned the decision on the grounds that there was an investigation for 'propaganda' in Tunceli and demanded the two cases be combined and a decision be given accordingly," he explained.

"In the indictment, it was alleged that I made the commander a target by using his name and picture. And a photograph that was shared years ago as a joke was considered as propagandizing for an organization.

"The first hearing in June was adjourned to October 13, 2020, due to the pandemic. The hearing that was held in Adıyaman yesterday was adjourned to November 19."

He further said that it was only "natural" to report the appointment of a gendarmerie officer who was talked about in the press for days.

"Moreover, HDP's Alican Önlü and the chair of the Tunceli Bar stated at the time that there were many investigations against the mentioned officer, including investigations for bribery, theft and so on.

"What should we have done instead of reporting about a person with such allegations? Now I'll stand trial for targeting someone whose name I didn't even use." (HA/VK)