A gathering was held in front of Nicosia District Court to support BASIN-SEN President and journalist Ali Kişmir*, who is facing a 10-year prison sentence due to an article he published on social media, Kibris Gazetesi reports. Witnesses in the case will be heard in court today.
UPDATE: The newspaper has just reported that the trial will be postponed yet again, until 6 December.
Ali Kişmir, the Chairman of the Journalist and Press Workers Union (Basın-Sen), is on trial with a 10-year prison sentence demanded on charges of “insulting and belittling the moral personality of the Security Forces Command” due to his article exposing the interference in the 2020 Presidential elections.
*Journalist Ali Kişmir is facing charges over a critical article he wrote in 2020 regarding the political situation in North Cyprus and Turkey’s influence. His article allegedly “insulted” the Turkish Cypriot security forces, leading to accusations of “insulting and mocking” them, which could carry a prison sentence of up to ten years. His defence has argued that this prosecution is an attempt to curb press freedom and suppress critical voices within the Turkish Cypriot community.
The International and European Federations of Journalists have expressed support for Kişmir, emphasising the need to protect freedom of expression and warning that such cases reflect broader attempts to extend Turkey’s repressive stance toward the press into North Cyprus. The trial has now been postponed until November 14, while advocates continue to call for the charges to be dropped to uphold press freedom and democratic principles.
The decision to continue prosecuting Ali Kişmir after the case was initially postponed indefinitely appears to stem from the Turkish Cypriot authorities. The case against him was reportedly reopened under charges linked to his social media posts, which were deemed critical of Turkey. This has been perceived as a political move by some observers and advocates for press freedom, as Kişmir’s criticisms align with broader tensions regarding Turkish influence in North Cyprus.
The charges carry a potential 10-year prison sentence, and the continuation of the trial suggests a persistent effort by the authorities to address perceived dissent. Legal representation for Kişmir, including the Turkish Cypriot Bar Association’s head, has strongly defended his case as a matter of free expression and human rights
The exact rationale for resuming prosecution has not been fully disclosed, but it highlights ongoing challenges regarding press freedom in the region. Critics argue that the case exemplifies increasing constraints on journalists and union leaders in North Cyprus.
[LGC News Ed.]
