Defendants: Seyhan Avşar

Media Outlet and Position: Cumhuriyet – Reporter

Accusations: Targeting a public official who participated in anti-terror operations

Possible sentences: up to 3 years

Court: İstanbul 27. High Criminal Court

Case background:

Seyhan Avşar, a reporter for independent Cumhuriyet newspaper, is facing three years in prison over an article following the complaint of a public prosecutor, Asım Ekren.

Avşar reported on prosecutor Ekren’s conviction of ten months on the charge of taking advantage of the defendants in a child abuse case. Ekren initially filed a complaint against Avşar for defamation, however Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s office submitted an indictment against journalist on “targeting a public official who participated in anti-terror operations”.

The first hearing took place on January 9, 2020, defense lawyers’ request for acquittal was rejected. Court adjourned the hearing until May 21, ruling Sözcü’s online editor to be heard as witness in the next hearing and to wait for the file about the prosecutor in dispute to be submitted.