Journalist Doğa Başkan Released After Arrest for Misleading Information Charge

Evrensel newspaper reporter Doğa Başkan has been released from Sincan Women's Prison. She was arrested on charges of "spreading misleading information to the public" after a draft news report was accidentally published on the website evrensel.net. The report was quickly removed after its discovery. Upon her release, Başkan stated, "These pressures cannot intimidate us." She drew parallels to the struggles of other journalists and workers, emphasizing her renewed commitment to her profession. Her lawyer, İlke Işık, highlighted the absurdity of the arrest, noting that the prosecutor could not locate the news report in question. "We are expecting her to be released as soon as possible, even before a case is filed or hearings begin," Işık said, adding that Başkan was imprisoned based on a one-page internet printout of a non-existent news story. Başkan, also a university student, was arrested on Thursday after giving a statement to prosecutors, with authorities citing a flight risk and the inadequacy of judicial control measures.

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These pressures cannot intimidate us.