Journalist Rabia Çetin acquitted

Journalist Rabia Çetin, who was on trial for retweeting a post from an X (formerly Twitter) account opened for the "Deniz Poyraz Case," was acquitted in her third hearing on the grounds that "the elements of the crime were not met."

According to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), the final hearing of the case filed against journalist Rabia Çetin on charges of "targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism" and "publicly insulting a public official due to their duty" for retweeting a post from a social media account opened in the name of Deniz Poyraz, who was killed in an armed attack on the HDP İzmir Provincial Building on June 17, 2021, was held at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.

Çetin, whose defense was undertaken by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), was present in the courtroom with her lawyer, Emine Özhasar.

The prosecutor, reiterating the opinion on the merits announced during the second hearing on September 13, 2023, requested that journalist Rabia Çetin be punished for the charge of "targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism," while requesting her acquittal on the charge of "publicly insulting a public official due to their duty."

ÇETİN: THERE IS NO INSULT OR TARGETING IN THE TWEET I SHARED

Stating that she is a journalist, Çetin said, "There is no insult or targeting in the tweet I shared. I was only informing the public."  

"This is a file that began with an individual named Onur Gencer murdering HDP member Deniz Poyraz. It caused a great stir on the national agenda, and many people tweeted about this issue. My client likewise tweeted about this issue," said lawyer Emine Özhasar, who presented to the court the decision regarding journalist Nazlan Ertan, who was acquitted of the same charges.

'CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ANNULLED VIRTUAL PATROL PRACTICE'

Stating that according to a 2022 investigation report by law enforcement, lawsuits were filed against everyone who retweeted the post made by the "Deniz Poyraz Case" social media account, Özhasar noted that the Constitutional Court (AYM), with its decision dated February 19, 2020, annulled the 18th paragraph of Article 6 of the Law on Duties and Powers of the Police (PVSK), which allowed law enforcement to collect evidence by conducting 'virtual patrols' on social media accounts.

Continuing her speech by emphasizing that Çetin is a journalist and that journalists have the right to inform the public, Özhasar said, "When looking at my client's social media account, it will be seen that she makes posts for the purpose of providing information. She reported the news by exercising freedom of expression and the press's duty to inform. The elements of the crime have not been met for either charge. We request an acquittal."

Announcing its verdict, the court acquitted journalist Rabia Çetin on the grounds that the elements of the alleged crime were not met.

News Source: 12punto