- A lawsuit was filed against Mehmet Murat Yıldırım on the grounds of his social media posts and news reports.
- In the indictment, news reports, opinion columns, and political evaluations were made the subject of accusation.
MLSA — A lawsuit was filed against journalist Mehmet Murat Yıldırım on the charge of “insulting the president,” based on his social media posts and journalistic activities.
In the indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, content published on Özgür Yurttaş Haber, where Yıldırım serves as editor, as well as the sharing and commenting on these contents on social media, were shown as the basis of the accusation.
It was stated that the investigation was initiated during the period of social mobilization that began on March 19, 2025, following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu. Shares related to boycott calls made during this period and the sharing of news reports on this issue were also included in the file. News reports about detained youth and journalists, as well as content regarding street protests, were also presented as evidence in the indictment.
Political evaluations were made the subject of accusation
In the indictment, Yıldırım’s political evaluations were also considered within the scope of the accusation. It was claimed that expressions critical of the president were “insulting to his honor, dignity, and reputation.”
The file also included a piece written by Yıldırım regarding attacks against Alevis in Syria. The evaluations in the article titled “The unchanging face of the state from the Ottoman era to Erdoğan: Alevis are being massacred” were made the subject of accusation.
Additionally, the article titled “15 years of the Erdoğan regime: massacres and deadlock,” published in Özgür Yurttaş Haber, was added to the file as evidence. The article addressed the Roboski Massacre, the Gezi Resistance, the Feb. 6 earthquakes, post-July 15 policies, and trustee appointments.
Hearing dates announced
It was learned that the case will be heard on Sept. 8 at the Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance.
There is also a previously filed case against Yıldırım on the charge of “organizational propaganda.” The hearing of this file will be held on April 9 at the Aydın 2nd High Criminal Court. Additionally, an investigation conducted by the Kuşadası Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is ongoing.
Access blocked to X account
It was learned that access to journalist Yıldırım’s personal X account was blocked on March 25. On the same day, similar access blocks were imposed on the social media accounts of many journalists and media organizations.
“The right to criticize is not a crime”
Mehmet Murat Yıldırım evaluated the lawsuit filed against him within the scope of press and freedom of expression. Yıldırım said, “The right to criticize is not a crime. Criticism directed at one-man rule is a political evaluation.”
Stating that he will continue to write, Yıldırım said, “I will not remain silent.”
