Cumhuriyet, Sözcü journalists acquitted of 'disclosing identity of counterterrorism officials'

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Two journalists have been acquitted in the case concerning news articles on Cumhuriyet newspaper and Sözcü newspaper's website.

Seyhan Avşar, a reporter for Cumhuriyet, and Necdet Önemli, Sözcü website's managing editor responsible for legal affairs, were charged with "disclosing the identities of public officials who took part in the fight against terrorism."

The article titled "The Sözcü prosecutor turns out to be ex-convict" revealed that the prosecutor of a case against Sözcü had a previous conviction. It was first published by Cumhuriyet and then on Sözcü's website.

In the hearing held today (March 16) at the İstanbul 29th Heavy Penal Court, Avşar and attorneys were present at the courtroom while Önemli didn't attend the hearing.

In her defense as to the accusations, Avşar said, "A prosecutor and a citizen who were involved in a crime have no difference before the law. If you give a sentence, there will be a perception that 'prosecutors can commit a crime but journalists can't report it'."

"I think the [prosecutor's] opinion was submitted not within the scope of the judiciary but with an administrative decision. I request your board to give a judgment with responsibility and within the scope of the law," she said.

Pronouncing its decision after the attorneys' statements, the court ruled that the elements of the alleged crime did not occur.

The journalists were facing a prison term of one to three years. (HA/VK)