Prosecutor seeks up to 9 years and 6 months in prison for Timur Soykan
The prosecution has submitted its final opinion in the trial of journalist Timur Soykan, who is being tried over his social media posts criticizing operations targeting CHP mayors. While a prison sentence of up to 9 years and 6 months is being sought for Soykan, who is charged with "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "publicly inciting to commit a crime," the court has decided to lift his judicial control measures.
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In the trial held in Istanbul, the prosecution has announced its final opinion regarding journalist Timur Soykan. The demand for a prison sentence in the trial of Soykan, who appeared in court due to his social media posts regarding operations targeting CHP-run municipalities, drew attention.
PROSECUTION SEEKS UP TO 9 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS IN PRISON
The second hearing of the case in which Timur Soykan is being tried on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "publicly inciting to commit a crime" was held at the Istanbul 32nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
During the hearing, the prosecution submitted its final opinion to the court, requesting that Soykan be punished for both charges. The prosecution requested a total prison sentence of up to 9 years and 6 months for journalist Soykan.
ADDITIONAL TIME REQUESTED FOR DEFENSE
Taking the floor during the hearing, Soykan's lawyer, Özge Naz Akkaya, requested time from the court to prepare a detailed defense against the prosecution's opinion.
The court panel evaluated the defense's request and decided to adjourn the case to a later date.
JUDICIAL CONTROL MEASURE LIFTED
According to the report in BirGün, the court ruled to lift the judicial control measure previously applied to Timur Soykan.
Thus, while the judicial control application regarding Soykan has ended, the trial process will continue.
HEARING ADJOURNED TO JULY 10
The court decided to grant time for the parties to prepare their defenses regarding the final opinion.
It was reported that the next hearing of the case will be held on July 10 at 10:30 AM.
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS BECAME SUBJECT OF LAWSUIT
In the indictment prepared against Timur Soykan, his social media posts regarding the operations targeting CHP-run municipalities were cited as the basis for the charges.
It was stated that Soykan used the following expressions in his post following the detention of Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere:
"The coup continues. The will of the people is being usurped. The ballot box has no meaning left."
In the investigation file, other posts made by Soykan later were also included as evidence.
It was reported that journalist Soykan used the following expressions in his post following new detention news:
"'Defeating the AKP in the election' should be entered into the laws as a crime. Thus, they would be spared the burden of pretending that there is still a judiciary."
In another post included in the indictment, it was stated that Soykan argued that the government was sending a message to society saying, "You cannot choose a government other than me."