27.02.2025 13:41
Journalist Nevşin Mengü was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison due to an interview she conducted with Salih Muslim, who is wanted with a red notice, which allegedly contained statements praising a terrorist organization. The court decided to suspend the sentence.
The trial of journalist Nevşin Mengü, who published an interview with Salih Müslim, a leader of the YPG/PYD terrorist organization wanted by a red notice, was held at the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court on the charge of 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization through the press and publication.' While Mengü did not attend the hearing, her lawyers were present in the courtroom.
"MENGÜ'S ONLY AIM IS TO REPORT"
Nevşin Mengü's lawyer, Hüseyin Ersöz, stated, "Our client has been practicing journalism for many years. She is also considered to be Turkey's first female war correspondent. She holds an international press card. Our client is a respected journalist with recognition. The alleged crime should be evaluated in light of our client's identity as a journalist. Mengü's aim is not to commit a crime but to report the news."
PENALTY POSTPONED
The court sentenced Nevşin Mengü to 1 year and 3 months in prison for 'openly making propaganda for a terrorist organization.' The court postponed the sentence for a period of 3 years.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
The indictment stated that Mengü published an interview on her social media account with Salih Müslim, the leader of the PYD/YPG terrorist organization, who has a red notice against him, in a publicly accessible manner. The indictment noted that Salih Müslim's statements, which consciously aim to legitimize and disseminate the separatist activities of the organization, as well as his declarations that legitimize the organization's methods involving coercion, violence, or threats, or that encourage resorting to these methods, were propagated by Nevşin Mengü. The indictment requested that journalist Mengü be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 6 months to 7 years and 6 months for making propaganda for a terrorist organization through the press and publication.