The Court of Appeal acquitted journalist İsmail Çoban, who was sentenced to 10 months in prison for his notebook.
İsmail Çoban, former editor-in-chief of the shut-down Azadiya Welat newspaper, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on charges of “bringing prohibited items into an execution institution” due to a notebook confiscated in Tarsus Prison. The court had imposed the sentence on the grounds that the notebook “carried organizational content”.
However, Çoban’s lawyer Resul Tamur objected to the verdict, stating that the notes were excerpts from books read and personal thoughts. Temur emphasized that the notebook was taken from the prison canteen and handed over to the prison administration, stating that his client did not bring in “prohibited items”.
Adana Regional Court of Appeals 3rd Criminal Chamber, which evaluated the appeal, decided to acquit Çoban, stating that the elements of the crime did not occur.
15.05.2025
Mezopotamya Ajans
