Court sentences Nevşin Mengü over Salih Müslim interview: Prison time requested

Journalist Nevşin Mengü, who faced a potential prison sentence ranging from 1 year and 6 months to 7 years and 6 months, had her defense presented against the prosecutor's opinion by her lawyers, Hüseyin Ersöz and Buse Şahin.

'WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION'

Lawyer Ersöz, representing Mengü, who was requested by the prosecutor in the previous hearing to be punished for 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization', stated that his client's interview with Salih Müslim did not contain any criminal elements. Ersöz said, "A broadcast made by a member of the press regarding fundamental issues such as the reconstruction of Syria is entirely within the scope of the right to receive information."

Ersöz continued as follows:

“When we look at the transcripts in the file, the questions directed at Müslim are in the spirit of investigative journalism. It should be evaluated that the broadcasting carried out falls within the scope of journalistic activity and freedom of expression.”

'SALİH MÜSLİM IS NOT THE LEADER OF A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION'

Stating that Mengü did not conduct the interview with the intent of propaganda, Hüseyin Ersöz said that she did not act with the intent to commit a crime. Expressing that they had submitted 3 separate scientific opinions to the file, Ersöz drew attention to the finding that Salih Müslim is not currently serving as a co-chair of the terrorist organization.

The court sentenced Nevşin Mengü to 1 year and 3 months in prison on the charge of making propaganda for a terrorist organization. It decided to suspend the sentence. The court reached its decision by majority vote.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Nevşin Mengü published her interview with Salih Müslim on her YouTube channel on December 13, 2024.

Removing the interview from broadcast 20 minutes later, Mengü stated, “I received warnings from legal colleagues that this interview could fall under the scope of ‘praising a crime and a criminal’ according to the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). For this reason, I have removed the interview in question. I would like to prevent any misunderstandings.”

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an ex officio investigation into Mengü on the grounds that the interview she conducted with Salih Müslim "contained rhetoric praising a terrorist organization." Mengü, who was detained, was later released under judicial control with a travel ban.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had prepared an indictment against Mengü on the charge of 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization.' In the indictment, which noted that the video had been viewed thousands of times, it was argued that Mengü's action should be evaluated within the scope of the crime of making propaganda for a terrorist organization.

It was requested that Mengü be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months to 7 years and 6 months in prison for allegedly making propaganda for a terrorist organization through the press and media.