Journalist Evrim Kepenek Receives Suspended Sentence for Reporting on Child Abuse Case

May 15, 2025 – Turkey – 

On May 14, 2025, Turkish journalist Evrim Kepenek was sentenced to 10 months in prison over a news report concerning the alleged sexual abuse and death of a two-year-old child in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü district. Kepenek, who serves as the Women’s News Editor for the independent outlet Bianet, faced charges of violating the confidentiality of an investigation. The court deferred the announcement of the verdict, meaning the sentence will not be enforced unless she commits a similar offense during the probation period.

The case centers on Kepenek’s early reporting on the abuse allegations, which she published before any confidentiality order had been issued by the court. During the trial, Kepenek and her defense argued that the article did not include the names of the child or the family and that she intended to inform the public about a grave issue, not to interfere with the investigation. Her lawyer emphasized that the story served the public interest and contained no malicious content.

Press freedom organizations and journalists’ unions have condemned the verdict, expressing concern that it represents a troubling trend in Turkey where journalists face criminal penalties for reporting on sensitive or socially significant matters. Many critics view the sentence as a deterrent to press freedom and a warning to journalists covering issues of child abuse, gender-based violence, and public accountability.

The case comes amid a wider climate of media repression in Turkey, where legal action against journalists has become increasingly common. Kepenek’s sentence is seen by many as another example of judicial harassment aimed at silencing critical reporting, particularly when it involves state institutions or controversial cases.

Advocacy groups have called for the verdict to be overturned, arguing that Kepenek was fulfilling her duty as a journalist by shedding light on a tragic and serious issue. They stress that punishing journalists for doing their job undermines both the public’s right to know and the vital role of the media in a democratic society.

Reference – 

https://anfenglishmobile.com/freedom-of-the-press/journalist-evrim-kepenek-sentenced-to-prison-79349

Turkish journalist gets 10-month suspended sentence for reporting in child abuse case