A series of court hearings involving journalists and politicians on charges related to journalism and freedom of expression will take place across Turkey this week, with proceedings scheduled in Istanbul, Ankara, Diyarbakır, Mersin and Iğdır from Nov. 3 to 5.
Among the week's most notable hearings are the trial of journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci over news reports concerning Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and a new case against journalist Alican Uludağ on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information."
The hearings also include cases involving journalists accused of terrorism-related offenses over their professional activities and social media posts, as well as proceedings against politician Selahattin Demirtaş.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
9 a.m. — Journalist Vedat Örüç: The Mersin 6th High Criminal Court in southern Turkey will hold a hearing in the trial of journalist Vedat Örüç, who faces charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization" over his social security records, conversations with colleagues and journalistic activities. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) is representing Örüç in the case.
10:20 a.m. — Journalists Elfazi Toral and Sema Korkmaz: The Istanbul 25th Criminal Court of First Instance will hear the case against JINNEWS reporter Elfazi Toral and journalist Sema Korkmaz, who were detained on Dec. 8, 2023, while covering a press statement outside the Istanbul provincial headquarters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). The journalists face charges of violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
9:25 a.m. — Politician Selahattin Demirtaş: The Diyarbakır 18th Criminal Court of First Instance in southeastern Turkey will hold a hearing in the case against Selahattin Demirtaş, a prominent Kurdish politician and former co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility."
10:50 a.m. — Journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci: The Ankara 52nd Criminal Court of First Instance will hear the case against journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci over news coverage concerning Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The journalists face allegations of "insult," "slander" and "using expressions that incite the public to hatred and rebellion."
Thursday, Nov. 5
10 a.m. — Journalist Alican Uludağ: The Ankara 57th Criminal Court of First Instance will hold a hearing in a new case against journalist Alican Uludağ, who faces charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information," an offense under Turkey's controversial disinformation law.
1:10 p.m. — Journalist Berzan Güneş: The Iğdır 2nd High Criminal Court in eastern Turkey will hear the case against journalist Berzan Güneş, who is charged with "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization" over news reports shared on his social media account.
