Case of Evrensel, Cumhuriyet’s Reports About October 10 Massacre Drop

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The case brought against Evrensel daily newspaper correspondents to Ankara Cem Gurbetoğlu, Tamer Arda Erşin, Evrensel Editor-in-Chief Fatih Polat, Cumhuriyet daily newspaper correspondent Kemal Göktaş and then Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Can Dündar due to their reports about October 10, 2015 Ankara Train Station Massacre in which 102 people were killed.

First hearing of the trial was held at Ankara 2nd Heavy Penal Court. Kemal Göktaş was excused for being in an event abroad.

Evrensel daily reported that lawyer Mustafa Söğütlü demanded that the case be dropped due to prescription.

The court committee ruled that the case be dropped.

Press organization watched the hearing as well.

What happened?

An investigation was launched upon complaint of Security General Directorate into articles entitled “Dink Trial suspect Dinç’s signature appears in October 10 intelligence”, “Did Dinç hide intelligence again” published on the Evrensel. It was claimed that the article was “delusive” and involved “unfair and intentional accusations directly targeting the Law Enforcement Agency”.

Deposing as part of the investigation, Polat, Gurbetoğlu, Erşin and Göktaş said that they exercised their right to make news report and had no intention to target anyone.

Claiming that the police officials were targeted by having their names exposed, Public Prosecutor Ali İhsan Akdoğdu demanded up to 3 years in prison for the journalists. (EA/TK)