30.05.2025 23:00
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has filed a lawsuit against journalist Sedef Kabaş on the charge of "publicly disseminating misleading information." The indictment requests a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years for Kabaş.
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared an indictment against journalist Sedef Kabaş on the charge of "publicly disseminating misleading information." The indictment was accepted by the Istanbul Anatolian Criminal Court of First Instance, and a case was opened.
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was claimed that a post made by journalist Sedef Kabaş on the social media platform X on February 8, 2024, was misleading to the public.
"THE STATEMENT WAS DISTORTED"
In Kabaş's post, it was stated that "Central Bank President Fatih Karahan said, 'We can expect an increase of 150% to 200% in electricity and natural gas after the elections. You see the effect without giving the authority...'" and that this statement was distorted in a way that would create public outrage.
Following a tip-off to the Presidential Communication Center, it was noted that Kabaş's post was found to be false, referencing the report of the Disinformation Combat Center dated February 12, 2024. The indictment argued that Kabaş's post aimed to create concern, fear, and panic among the public.
PRISON SENTENCE OF UP TO 3 YEARS SOUGHT
In her statement to the prosecutor's office, suspect Sedef Kabaş stated that she did not produce the post herself, but shared a sentence from Central Bank President Fatih Karahan regarding the price increases in quotation marks, without any additions, as part of press and expression freedom on her page.
Kabaş declared that she had no intention of sharing false information, distorting facts, or leading the public to misleading information, and she denied the accusations. The prosecutor's office prepared an indictment against Kabaş for the charge of "publicly disseminating misleading information," seeking a sentence of 1 to 3 years. The indictment was accepted by the Anatolian Criminal Court of First Instance, and a case was opened against Kabaş.