Turkey overturns charges against former WSJ journalist

A Turkish court tossed out the conviction against a former WSJ reporter in the latest sign Ankara is seeking to improve ties with the West by easing concerns over its human rights record and jailing of journalists.

Ayla Albayrak, who is a dual Turkish and Finnish national, was sentenced in absentia for two years in jail for allegedly carrying out propaganda on behalf the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Ankara classifies the PKK as a terror group.

The charges against Albayrak relate to a 2015 story she filed about clashes between Turkish forces and PKK militants in the southeast of the country.

“The black comedy part of my life called ‘a trial’ finally ended. It’s been exactly 3 years since the investigation started in Nov 2015 over a WSJ story,” said Albayrak, who took to Twitter after the court's ruling.

“This decision is a relief for me and my family but not a real sign of greater Press Freedom in Turkey,” she added.

Twitter Post

Albayrak's case was dismissed on procedural grounds and not on the charges themselves, Reuters reported.

“We are elated that the appellate court has rightfully overturned the unjust conviction of Ayla Albayrak,” said WSJ editor-in-chief Matt Murray. “It is long overdue".

Ankara has carried out a widespread crackdown on dissent following the failed July 2016 coup.

Around 80,000 people have been arrested in the post-coup enviroment, and more than 150,000 people suspended or sacked from the public sector including judges, soldiers and police.

While Turkey's post-coup crackdown has focused on suspected Gulenists, who Ankara blames for the failed coup attempt, the government has also used to opportunity to suppress a myriad of opposition groups and critical journalists. 

Turkey is the world's largest jailer of journalists, having imprisoned over 120 since July 2016.

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