OSCE Media Freedom Representative concerned by prison sentences against two journalists in Turkey, urges authorities to respect freedom of expression

VIENNA, 8 June 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his dismay today over the prison sentences handed down to journalists Özgür Boğatekin and Metin Uca in Turkey.

On 4 June, the 8th Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation upheld a prison sentence of one year and 15 days against the news director of the Gerger Fırat newspaper, Özgür Boğatekin. He was initially sentenced in 2014, in relation to his critical articles about a former Sub-Governor of Gerger.

In a separate case, the İstanbul 52nd Penal Court of First Instance handed down a prison sentence of one year, two months and 17 days to journalist Metin Uca. The sentencing follows accusations by an Anadolu Agency Director General and a Vice Director General over a tweet that Uca had published. According to media reports, the Court ruled that the journalist committed the crime of “insulting a commissioned officer due to their duty”.

“I am seriously concerned that these journalists have been sentenced to prison for their critical writing and for expressing their opinions. Such sentences undermine the freedom of the media and can lead to self-censorship in the country,” said Representative Désir. “I urge the Turkish authorities to refrain from punishing journalists for their professional activities.” He further stressed that freedom of expression, as one of the fundamental human rights, needs to be protected and respected.