Statement from the lawyer of detained journalist Özlem Gürses! What are the charges against her?

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into journalist Özlem Gürses on charges of "insulting the institutions and organs of the state" and "publicly disseminating misleading information."

Gürses was detained in Ankara after using the following expression regarding the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on her personal YouTube channel: "As you can see, the ISIS structure, meaning the TSK-SNA structure, has made small gains in regions where Kurds are present."

A statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office read: "An investigation has been initiated ex officio by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the individual named Samiye Özlem Gürses for the crimes of insulting the institutions and organs of the state and publicly disseminating misleading information, following the determination that in a broadcast dated today (20/12/2024) on her YouTube channel named 'TV OZ', she made remarks about our Republic's national army, the Turkish Armed Forces, stating, 'As you can see, the ISIS structure, meaning the TSK-SNA structure, has made small gains in regions where Kurds are present,' thereby likening our Turkish Armed Forces to a terrorist organization and portraying it as an institution that acts alongside terrorist organizations involved in torture and massacres and characterizing it as an occupier; the suspect has been apprehended and taken into custody."

TO BE TAKEN TO ISTANBUL

It was stated that Gürses would be transported from Ankara to Istanbul by road at 23:00 to have her statement taken. It was reported that Gürses would arrive at the Istanbul Police Department at 02:30.

WHAT ARE THE CHARGES AGAINST ÖZLEM GÜRSES?

Özlem Gürses's lawyer, Erdal Kılbaşoğlu, made a statement regarding the process.

Speaking on Sözcü TV, Kılbaşoğlu recalled that Gürses had come to Ankara to attend an awards ceremony held at METU (ODTÜ) and said, "We heard that she was detained there. We could not communicate with her directly; her phone is off. However, we were able to speak with her mother."

Kılbaşoğlu stated the following:

"As far as we have learned, she was detained in Istanbul not by the terrorism prosecutor's office or the terrorism bureau, but by another unit. The crime she is accused of is Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which is the crime of 'insulting state institutions.' The penalty for this crime is imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years. Another charge is 'publicly disseminating misleading information.' The penalty for this crime is stated as imprisonment from 1 year to 3 years. However, such crimes are not considered in the category of serious crimes under the Criminal Procedure Code."

Speaking about Gürses's remarks during the live broadcast, Attorney Kılbaşoğlu said, "I do not believe that Ms. Özlem had such an intention or intent. Especially in live broadcasts, it is not always possible to reflect everything completely and accurately. Sometimes statements taken out of context can be misunderstood."

"SHE HAD SAID 'I AM GOING OUT FOR 5 MINUTES'"

Özlem Gürses's mother, Serpil Gürses, noted the following:

"We were staying at the hotel. Özlem had said, 'I am going out for five minutes.' When I returned, I saw three people, two plainclothes police officers, in front of the hotel door. I asked Özlem, 'What happened?' They said, 'We are going to detain you.' I was in shock. Özlem turned and said, 'Don't be afraid, Mom.'

Then she went inside. They took her phone, made her take off her jewelry, and took her away. I was just left standing there. The hotel manager and people from the public relations department came. CHP deputies, party spokespeople, and journalist friends called constantly. Thank God, my daughter has many friends."

'THEY TOOK HER PHONE, THEY DID NOT LET HER CALL ANYONE'

She was very calm. She turned to me and said, 'Don't be afraid, my dear mother,' 'I will do whatever they want.' She was very calm. She wanted to call her lawyer, but the police did not allow it. They took her phone again. Later, she gave me some numbers and said, 'Call these, Mom.'"

News Source: 12punto