We welcome the release of Turkish journalist Nazlı Ilıcak
TURKEY, Istanbul, November 5, 2019 — The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the release of Nazlı Ilıcak. The columnist and former parliamentarian has been freed from prison after a court order on November 4. She was arrested as part of an operation against the Gülen Community on July 30, 2016, and was kept behind bars for 1,197 days in Bakırköy Women’s Prison.
Nazlı was arrested after the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey. The prosecution wanted to put her away under three aggravated life sentences on the charges of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, Parliament, and the government”. They had also asked for an additional term in prison up to 15 years for “helping a terrorist organization despite not being a member.”
She was finally released under a verdict by the İstanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court. The Supreme Court of Appeals overturned all aggravated life sentences against her. Nazlı denied all accusations and defended the posts on Twitter, which were used as evidence against her. She said that when considered together her Tweets show that she was against the coup.
The court had originally sentenced Nazlı for up to eight years and nine months following the charges of “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization without being a member”. It was decided that she would be released after the length of her imprisonment was taken into account.
After her release from the prison in Bakırköy, Nazlı was welcomed by her relatives and friends.
“May Allah give convenience to those who remain in prison. Please don’t forget them. Please, let this law on execution of sentences be enacted as soon as possible,” she said.
We, at the Coalition For Women In Journalism, are glad that our colleague Nazlı has been finally freed. We also demand that the Turkish authorities release other imprisoned journalists, who are languishing in jail for their journalism.
None of our colleagues deserve to be jailed. We expect better from the Turkish government and urge them to ensure a safe and free environment for journalists, particularly women journalists.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world, and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
For more information, please visit www.womeninjournalism.org.
Press Inquiries
Damla Tarhan
Turkey & MENA Coordinator
<damla@womeninjournalism.org>
