By Sevinç Özarslan | March 4, 2025
Former Yeni Asya Editor-in-Chief Kazım Güleçyüz in Turkey has been sentenced to one year and three months in prison for posting a condolence message on social media following the passing of Fethullah Gülen.
Güleçyüz attended the trial at Istanbul’s 28th High Criminal Court with his lawyer, where the court handed down the sentence. However, the court deferred the announcement of the verdict, meaning that if he does not commit another offense within a five-year probation period, the conviction will be annulled; otherwise, it will be enforced.
Commenting on the decision via social media, Güleçyüz stated, “If we do not commit a new ‘crime’ within five years, the ruling will be void. Otherwise, it will be implemented. The result: an intimidation tactic in the form of an ‘unenforced’ ruling. We will appeal. We believe justice will ultimately prevail.”
Prosecutors Accused Güleçyüz of “Terror Propaganda”
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for Terror and Organized Crimes launched an investigation into Güleçyüz for his condolence message following Gülen’s death on October 20, 2024. The prosecutor’s office accused him of spreading terrorist propaganda.
In his message, Güleçyüz wrote:
“Fethullah Gülen has now passed from the world of trials to the afterlife. The allegations against him will now be judged in the hereafter. We once again express our wish for an end to the injustices committed under the pretext of these allegations, which have caused the suffering of so many. May God grant him mercy and justice. Our condolences to the community.”
As a result of this post, he was detained on October 23, 2024, and subsequently arrested.
At the first hearing on December 19, 2024, the court ordered his release. However, after his release, he was removed from his position as Yeni Asya’s editor-in-chief. Although he continued writing as a columnist for the newspaper, he received a prison sentence at the second hearing.
