Journalist Ali Kişmir’s Trial Adjourned to December 11

The case revolves around an article Kişmir published on social media in 2020, criticizing alleged interference in the presidential elections in Northern Cyprus. Prosecutors claim the piece included defamatory language directed at the GKK’s "moral identity." Kişmir, however, denies the accusations and argues that his article was a critique of political practices rather than an attack on any institution.

Witness Testimonies

At today’s hearing, the court heard testimony from Prof. Dr. Oğuz Karakartal, Head of the Turkish Language and Literature Department at Lefke European University, and Prof. Dr. Adnan Akgün from Eastern Mediterranean University.

Prof. Karakartal submitted a linguistic analysis of the article in question, arguing that its language and metaphors implied derogatory associations with the GKK. He claimed the term "Beyaz Ev" (White House) in the article referred to a GKK building in Kyrenia and likened it to a brothel, asserting that the article defamed the institution by associating it with political corruption and immorality.

Karakartal stated, "The expression ‘Ankara’s brothel where politics prostituted itself’ clearly targets the GKK as the location of such acts. This connection constitutes defamation against the GKK by association." He also testified that he had been harassed and threatened after agreeing to provide expert analysis, with callers accusing him of being "a stooge of the state."

Defense Arguments

Kişmir’s lawyer, Hasan Esendağlı, cross-examined Karakartal, questioning the objectivity of his analysis. Esendağlı argued that the article criticized political figures rather than institutions and emphasized that the alleged defamatory language was metaphorical, targeting political conduct rather than the GKK directly.

"The term ‘brothel’ in the article is not used literally but as a metaphor for corrupt politics," Esendağlı stated. He further argued that the article’s language did not explicitly link the GKK to immoral activities and accused Karakartal of over-interpreting the text based on personal biases.

Esendağlı also pointed out that the article did not name any institution directly and suggested that the witness’s interpretation was speculative. "The language criticizes political figures, not the GKK itself," he concluded.

Case Background

Ali Kişmir, a prominent journalist and President of the Press Workers’ Union (Basın-Sen), has been charged with “insulting and defaming the moral identity” of the GKK under charges that carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The charges stem from his social media post in which he reportedly criticized external interference during the 2020 presidential elections in Northern Cyprus.

The court adjourned the trial to December 11 at 11:00 a.m. to continue hearing witnesses and review evidence.

Source: Yenidüzen