EYLEM SONBAHAR
A Turkish court has dismissed charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" against author Yavuz Ekinci, brought over his 2014 novel, Rüyası Bölünenler (Those Whose Dreams Are Divided). The second hearing of the case was held at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, where the court ruled to reject the charges.
Case background and trial developments
Ekinci’s novel, published a decade ago, became the subject of a legal battle following a March 14, 2023, ruling by the Istanbul 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace that banned its distribution, sale, and ordered the seizure of all copies. Authorities alleged that the book contained expressions constituting terrorist propaganda.
During the hearing, Ekinci, accompanied by his lawyers, expressed dismay at being prosecuted for his literary work. "As a writer, I am deeply saddened to stand here accused for a novel I wrote 10 years ago," he said. Ekinci urged the court to view his work within the framework of freedom of thought and expression, as protected by Turkey’s Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Defense and court decision
Following Ekinci’s defense and responses to the prosecutor's opinion seeking a penalty, the court recessed before issuing its decision. Upon resumption, the court ruled to dismiss the case, bringing an end to the proceedings.
The dismissal marks a significant outcome in a case that drew attention from freedom of expression advocates, highlighting the tensions between literature and legal constraints in Turkey.
