Lawsuit Filed Against Journalist Bircan Değirmenci Over 2015 Social Media Posts

The trial of journalist Bircan Değirmenci has begun on charges of making continuous propaganda for an organization due to certain posts she made on the X platform in 2015.

Grounds for the Indictment

In the indictment prepared by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, four separate posts made by journalist Bircan Değirmenci from her social media account in 2015 were cited as the basis for the accusations.

The prosecutor's office stated that the posts in question included images of armed individuals as well as certain symbols and flags, arguing that these posts constituted a continuous crime.

First Hearing and Defense

During the first hearing of the case held at the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court, Bircan Değirmenci and her lawyer Orhan Sıcakyüz were present.

In her defense, Değirmenci accepted that the posts belonged to her, but stated that her intention was not to conduct organization propaganda, but rather to inform the public in her profession, which she has been carrying out for about 30 years.

Documents Added to the Case File

At the hearing, the research and evaluation report dated November 22, 2024, prepared regarding the allegations, and the response from the Counter-Terrorism (TEM) Branch Directorate were added to the court file.

Lawyer Orhan Sıcakyüz stated that the posts were taken out of context and requested that a new investigation be conducted from open sources.

Adjournment of the Hearing

Following the completion of the defense arguments, the court panel presented its opinion on the merits while deciding to continue the examinations of the case file.

The court decided to adjourn the hearing to October 20 at 10:25 AM in order for the final defense arguments to be made.