- Merdan Yanardağ acquitted in the 'assassination attempt on Kılıçdaroğlu' case.
- Arrest warrant issued for journalist Furkan Karabay.
- Expert witness to be awaited in Kılıçdaroğlu's 'insult' case.
This week, press and freedom of expression trials continued in different cities, and pressure on journalists persisted. The MLSA Case Monitoring Unit tracked 16 trials in 5 cities.
05 February, Wednesday
Journalist Merdan Yanardağ acquitted in 'Kılıçdaroğlu assassination claim' case. Journalist Merdan Yanardağ has been acquitted of charges of "spreading misleading information to the public" in a case concerning his social media posts about alleged assassination threats against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the former leader of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the opposition’s presidential candidate in 2023.
Journalist Barış Pehlivan faces trial over column, responds to Montaigne question in court. The trial of journalist Barış Pehlivan, who is being prosecuted over his column titled "So you’re the one protecting confidential information!" following a complaint by Boğaziçi University Rector Mehmet Naci İnci, has begun. During the hearing, İnci’s lawyer asked Pehlivan whether he believed he had used statements that could be considered offensive to honor, dignity, or reputation. Pehlivan responded, "You’ve asked a question fitting for Çağlayan Courthouse. I’m facing this question just because I quoted Montaigne."
Prosecutor calls protests illegal, seeks penalties for demonstrators. A Turkish prosecutor has argued that protests against government-appointed trustees in the eastern province of Tunceli (Dersim) were unlawful and called for penalties against four people on trial for participating in the demonstrations.
Court issues warrant to compel journalist Furkan Karabay’s appearance. An Istanbul court has issued a warrant to compel journalist Furkan Karabay to appear in court in a case filed against him by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his children, Bilal Erdoğanhttps://www.mlsaturkey.com/en/trial-over-traditional-dance-in-dersim-postponed-for-prosecutors-opinion, Ahmet Burak Erdoğan, and Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar.
Trial over traditional dance in Dersim postponed for prosecutor’s opinion. The trial of journalist Nuray Atmaca and 14 others, who are accused of "terrorist propaganda" for performing a traditional Kurdish dance during the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) primaries in Dersim, was postponed to Feb. 28, 2025, to allow the prosecution to present its final opinion. The third hearing was held at the Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court.
06 February, Thursday
Trial of journalist Melek Avcı begins: ‘This indictment is an attempt to fabricate a crime’ The trial of JINNEWS journalist Melek Avcı, who is facing charges of "terrorist propaganda" based on her news-related social media posts, has begun. In her defense, Avcı argued that the indictment criminalizes journalism, stating, "This indictment is essentially asking us why we are writing about these issues. Journalism is a reflection of society—we report on what happens. Even quoting statements from international organizations that Turkey is a party to has been deemed a crime."
