The new Turkey
Cagri Sari.
Former responsible managing editor of Evrensel daily

05-Apr-2019 11:12

20 March:

Journalist Çağrı Sarı Acquitted in Paradise Papers Case Filed by Albayrak Brothers
Former Managing Editor of Evrensel Newspaper Sarı, against whom Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the time Berat Albayrak and his brother Serhat Albayrak filed a lawsuit of insult and libel for reporting on Paradise Papers, has been acquitted.

The final hearing of former Managing Editor of Evrensel newspaper Çağrı Sarı, against whom a lawsuit was filed on charge of "insult and libel" for reporting on Paradise Papers, was held at the Bakırköy 2nd Penal Court of First Instance yesterday (March 19).

Announcing her verdict, Presiding Judge Gül Sema Çevik ruled that Çağrı Sarı shall be acquitted of the offense charged "on the ground that the elements of the crime did not arise." Posting a message on Twitter after the verdict was announced, Sarı said, "Ah, I have just been acquitted against Berat Albayrak and Serhat Albayrak."

'We hope that it will prevent harassment of media'

Making a statement regarding the acquittal of Çağrı Sarı, Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) Representative to Turkey Erol Önderoğlu said, "We are pleased that journalist Çağrı Sarı has been acquitted in the case related to her news on Paradise Papers documents. We hope that with a justified ruling that would relieve investigative journalism, it will contribute to the prevention of harassments directed to media."

19 February 2019:

“Paradise Papers” case against Evrensel journalist Çağrı Sarı adjourned

The fifth hearing in a case where journalist Çağrı Sarı, the former responsible managing editor of the daily Evrensel, is accused of “libel and insult” for the newspaper’s coverage of “Paradise Papers” leaks, was held on 19 February in Istanbul.The case was filed upon a complaint by Minister Berat Albayrak and his brother, Serhat Albayrak.

Sarı and her lawyer Devrim Avcı Özkurt were in attendance during the hearing at the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance as well as the Albayraks’ lawyer Ferah Yıldız.

Addressing the court for Sarı’s defense statement, lawyer Devrim Avcı said the news articles were an exercising of the right to freedom of the press and freedom of expression. She requested for Sarı’s acquittal.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer claimed that the news stories were aimed at manipulating public opinion and a smear campaign against Serhat Albayrak.

Issuing an interim ruling at the end of the hearing, the court adjourned the trial until 19 March for a review of the written defense statement submitted to the court on behalf of Sarı.

19 July 2018:

Evrensel cartoonist, editor stand trial for Paradise Papers cartoon

Evrensel daily’s cartoonist Sefer Selvi and former responsible managing editor Çağrı Sarı are standing trial in a case filed by former Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım on grounds of a political cartoon by Selvi published in the newspaper and its online edition. Yıldırım is seeking TL 40,000 in non-pecuniary damages on grounds that Selvi’s cartoon “violated his personal rights.”

P24 monitored the first hearing of the trial, held on 19 July at the Anadolu 29th Civil Court of First Instance in Istanbul.

Evrensel lawyer Devrim Avcı represented Selvi and Sarı during the hearing. Addressing the court during the hearing, the lawyer said Selvi’s cartoon fell within criticism and humor, and therefore the case should be rejected. Issuing an interim ruling at the end of the hering, the court rejected Avcı’s request and adjourned the trial until 8 November.

“Paradise Papers” trial against Evrensel journalist adjourned 
 
Journalist Çağrı Sarı, the former responsible managing editor of Evrensel daily, appeared before an Istanbul court on June 13 for the second hearing of a trial in which she is accused of “insult” and “libel” on account of two “Paradise Papers” reports the newspaper published in November 2017.
 
Sarı faces up to six years in prison in the case, opened upon a complaint by Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and his brother Serhat Albayrak. Serhat Albayrak’s name was mentioned in “Paradise Papers,” a set of 13.4 million leaked confidential electronic documents relating to offshore investments by more than 120 politicians, among other high profile names, from 50 countries.
 
Sarı and Evrensel lawyer Devrim Avcı were present at Wednesday’s hearing at the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. P24 monitored the hearing.
 
Addressing the court, Sarı said that the name of a minister to be cited in the documents had news value, adding that the newspaper has also published the minister’s response to the allegations.
 
Sarı also said that the indictment accused her of “manipulating opinion” because the articles were published over two days. “In journalism, this is called a follow-up, it’s not manipulating opinion,” Sarı explained. She said the news stories that form the basis of the allegations were part of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, and requested to be acquitted.
 
Her lawyer Devrim Avcı also said the case was against the right to information. Avcı requested that politicians Aykut Erdoğdu and Filiz Kerestecioğlu testify before the court as witnesses, which the court rejected.
 
The court adjourned the trial until September 25, 2018.