Journalist Timur Soykan gave his defense statement in a trial in which he and Barış Pehlivan are charged with “publicly disseminating misleading information” over remarks made on Halk TV’s “Kayda Geçsin” program.
“I do not accept the accusation. I am a journalist, and writing these things is my job,” Soykan said.
ISTANBUL — Turkish journalist Timur Soykan told an Istanbul court that reporting on alleged corruption and irregularities was part of his job, as he stood trial alongside fellow journalist Barış Pehlivan on a charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information” over remarks made on a television program.
The hearing in the case against Soykan and Pehlivan, stemming from comments they made on the Oct. 15, 2024, edition of the “Kayda Geçsin” program while working at Halk TV, was held at the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in Istanbul.
Soykan attended the hearing with his lawyer, Gamze Pamuk. After confirming his identity, Soykan gave his defense statement, telling the court he had worked as a journalist for 27 years.
Soykan said he had produced numerous news reports on corruption over the course of his career and argued that there had been no “criminal intent” in his reporting.
He said he worked to promote integrity in society and the bureaucracy and that he had a responsibility, as part of his journalistic work, to share with the public conclusions he had reached through his reporting. He also argued that statements regarded as disturbing should fall within the scope of freedom of expression.
“I have the right to think this,” Soykan said, adding that he had reported on judges and prosecutors accused of accepting bribes.
Soykan cited a news report he had written about İsmail Uçar, the former chief public prosecutor for Istanbul’s Anatolian side, who had informed Turkey’s Council of Judges and Prosecutors, known by its Turkish initials HSK, that release orders were allegedly being issued in exchange for bribes at his courthouse. Soykan said the report “was taken down within five hours.”
He said his news reports had repeatedly been blocked from public access, adding that even reports about court-ordered access restrictions had themselves been blocked.
“My news report was accurate, but I was still prosecuted,” Soykan said.
“The judge who was dismissed and whom İsmail Uçar had reported to the HSK wanted to meet with me. I met with him. I asked him about the access restriction he had imposed on my news report about Veysel Şahin, and he just laughed,” Soykan told the court. “I do not accept the accusation. I am a journalist, and writing these things is my job.”
Soykan’s lawyer, Gamze Pamuk, said her client’s remarks amounted to “political analysis” and argued that the legal elements required for the offense of “publicly disseminating misleading information” had not been met.
Pamuk said that if prosecutors claimed Soykan had provided false information, they should establish what the correct information was. She added that Soykan’s comments about alleged irregularities in the judiciary were based on his professional experience.
Pamuk asked the court to acquit Soykan.
The prosecutor at the hearing asked the court to wait for the outcome of a separate investigation into Soykan and Pehlivan over the same television program, in which they face different accusations.
The court decided to seek information on the status of that separate investigation involving Soykan and Pehlivan.
The hearing was adjourned until Dec. 22 at 10:05 a.m.
