The new Turkey
Özgür Paksoy.
DİHA reporter

19-Jan-2020

28 November 2019:

Journalists Yasul, Kırkaya, Paksoy and Keleş sentenced to 5 months in prison each

The final hearing in the trial of journalists Selman Keleş, Özgür Paksoy, Aziz Oruç, Kenan Kırkaya, İshak Yasul and Ersin Çaksu over a number of news reports published in October 2016 in the now-defunct newspaper Özgürlükçü Demokrasi took place on 28 November 2019 at Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

Issuing its verdict at the end of the hearing, the court sentenced Yasul, Kırkaya, Paksoy and Keleş to five months in prison each on the charge of “publicly degrading the judicial bodies of the state.” The court separated the files of Oruç and Çaksu. The court deferred the sentences of Yasul, Kırkaya and Paksoy while Keleş’s sentence was suspended.

15 February 2019:

Journalist Özgür Paksoy given jail term over social media posts

Journalist Özgür Paksoy was given a prison sentence of 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in a trial where he was accused of “propaganda” for his social media posts.

The hearing took place on 15 February at the Şırnak 2nd High Criminal Court. Paksoy addressed the court via the courtroom video-conferencing system SEGBİS for his defense statement during the hearing, where he rejected the accusation and requested for his acquittal.

Submitting their final opinion of the case, the prosecution then requested that Paksoy be convicted of the “propaganda” charge.

Paksoy’s lawyer requested for additional time for the final defense statement in response to the prosecution’s final opinion, however the court refused to grant continuance and went on to issue its verdict, sentencing Paksoy to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison. The court did not defer the sentence.

17 April 2017:

Prosecutors charge six journalists with 'insulting the Turkish nation'
Istanbul's Chief Prosecutor's Office charged six journalists with "insulting the Turkish nation, republic, parliament, and security organs," based on article 301 of the Turkish penal code, Evrensel reported on April 17. After the law attracted domestic and international criticism for its use to prosecute famous intellectuals, it was modified in 2008 to require prosecutors to seek permission from the Justice Ministry to bring charges under its provisions.

Prosecutors will charge Selman Keleş, Özgür Paksoy, Kenan Kırkaya, Aziz Oruç (reporters for the shuttered pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency, or DİHA), Ersin Çaksu (editor of the pro-Kurdish daily newspaper Özgürlükçü Demokrasi), and İhsak Yasul (news editor for Özgürlükçü Demokrasi) under the law's provisions based on their reporting of Turkish military actions in predominantly ethnic-Kurdish cities in southeastern Turkey.

8 July 2016:

Journalist detained for sharing political cartoon on social media

Özgür Paksoy, a reporter for the pro-Kurdish Dicle News Agency (DİHA), was detained at a police checkpoint outside the town of İdil yesterday, DİHA reported.

Paksoy was questioned for allegedly "insulting the president" by sharing a political cartoon on social media, according to a later report by DİHA. CPJ was unable to determine what platform Paksoy allegedly shared the cartoon on, and on what date. Paksoy was freed the same day, his agency reported. It is unclear if he will face charges.