Turkish courts in Istanbul, Ankara and the southeastern city of Diyarbakır will hold hearings this week in numerous high-profile trials involving journalists, writers, artists and activists. Charges range from terrorism-related accusations to alleged insults and protest participation. Defendants include writer Yavuz Ekinci, imprisoned journalist Furkan Karabay, and photographer Çağdaş Erdoğan.
Monday, Nov. 10
At 11:10 a.m., the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court will hold a hearing in the case against writer Yavuz Ekinci, who is being retried on charges of “terrorist propaganda” over his novel Rüyası Bölünenler (Those Whose Dream Was Interrupted), which was published a decade ago.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
At 12:30 p.m., the sixth hearing will be held at the Ankara 65th Criminal Court of First Instance in the case of 26 people who are on trial for allegedly violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations (Law No. 2911). The defendants are accused of participating in a commemoration for the victims of the 2022 Amasra coal mine disaster, which killed 42 workers in the Black Sea town of Amasra.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
At 10 a.m., the Istanbul 12th Civil Court will hear a civil lawsuit filed by Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of Antalya Yakup Ali Kahveci against journalist Furkan Karabay. Kahveci is seeking TL 150,000 (about $5,200) in non-pecuniary damages over two news reports and related social media posts.
At 10:10 a.m., the Bursa 1st High Criminal Court will resume hearings in the case against photojournalist Çağdaş Erdoğan, who is represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). He is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorist propaganda.”
At 10:45 a.m., the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court will hold the first hearing in the case against imprisoned journalist Perihan Erkılınç Okay, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization.”
Thursday, Nov. 13
At 8:50 a.m., the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court will hold the 10th hearing in the case against journalist Mehmet Göcekli, who is charged with “terrorist propaganda” based on his social media posts.
At 9:40 a.m., journalist Furkan Karabay will face his third hearing at the Istanbul 47th Criminal Court of First Instance over his “Adliyenin müdavimleri” (“Courthouse regulars”) social media post. The charges, “insult” and “defamation,” were brought following a complaint by Bilal Erdoğan, son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The court is awaiting the finalization of a previous acquittal decision over the same post.
At the same time, the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court will continue the trial of writer Mehmet Şahin, accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorist propaganda.” The local court's previous verdict was overturned by the appellate court.
At 9:45 a.m., the Istanbul 17th High Criminal Court will hear the first session of a retrial in a compensation case filed by journalist Deniz Yücel, who is represented by MLSA. Yücel is seeking material and moral damages over his wrongful imprisonment. The retrial follows a reversal decision by the Court of Cassation, Turkey’s highest court of appeals.
At 9:50 a.m., the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance will hold the 16th hearing in the trial of journalist Rüstem Batum, who is charged with “insulting the president.” MLSA is also representing Batum.
Also at 9:50 a.m., the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court will hold the second hearing in the case against Ramazan Şimşek, who is accused of “violating the law” after announcing that municipal services would be provided exclusively in Kurdish during the week of Kurdish Language Day. A travel ban preventing Şimşek from leaving the country remains in place.
At 10:30 a.m., journalist Sedef Kabaş will appear before the Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in Istanbul over 25 social media posts. She is charged with “insulting the president.”
At 11:10 a.m., the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court will resume hearings in the trial of journalist Rahime Karvar, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” due to her professional activities. The prosecutor has requested her conviction in connection with a merged file involving the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), a left-wing political umbrella group. The previous hearing had been postponed following a defense request for more time.
