Journalist Coşkun Acquitted of 'Insulting President'

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The hearing of the case was held at the İstanbul 40th Penal Court of First Instance.

Coşkun said in her defense statement that she does not accept charges.

"I am the former legal reporter of the Cumhuriyet newspaper. The day the arrests were made, I wrote about the incident and sent it to my chief. I don't have the authority on how or on which page the report will be published. I am a reporter. Performing my duty, I delivered the report to relevant units. I did not commit an offense."

Coşkun's attorney Abbas Yalçınsöz requested the acquittal of her client, saying that the lawsuit was filed two years after the report was published.

The court ruled for the acquittal of the reporter, stating that her act does not constitute a crime according to the relevant law. (HA/VK)