Numerous journalists, artists, and activists in Turkey are set to appear before courts this week on a range of charges, continuing a trend that has drawn international concern over freedom of expression in the country. Updates on the hearings will be shared on the @MLSADavaTakip X account.
Here are the key cases scheduled for this week:
Monday, April 28
At 11:10 a.m., a civil lawsuit related to the last-minute cancellation of concerts planned in 2021 for the 30th anniversary of the Mezopotamya Cultural Center (MKM) will be heard at the Gebze 3rd Civil Court of Peace. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) is providing legal defense in the case.
At 9:40 a.m., the 18th hearing in the criminal case against artist Ferhat Tunç will take place at the Büyükçekmece 16th Criminal Court of First Instance. Tunç faces "insult" charges stemming from his social media posts in 2016, following a complaint filed by then-Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım.
Tuesday, April 29
At 9:20 a.m., journalist İrfan Uçar will appear before the Gaziantep 2nd High Criminal Court on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
At 10:00 a.m., the 13th hearing of the case against Turkish Medical Association (TTB) former Central Council Chair Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu, and writer Ahmet Nesin will be held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. They are being tried for allegedly "making propaganda for a terrorist organization," "openly inciting to commit a crime," and "praising crime and criminals," based on their support for the "Editor-in-Chief on Watch" campaign organized by the now-shuttered Özgür Gündem newspaper.
At 11:05 a.m., journalist Rüstem Batum will face his 15th hearing at the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance. Defended by MLSA, Batum is accused of "insulting the president" and "inciting hatred and enmity among the public."
At 10:30 a.m., JINNEWS reporter Melek Avcı will appear before the Ankara 19th High Criminal Court on charges of "terrorist propaganda."
At 11:00 a.m., journalist Barış Pehlivan and former responsible managing editor of Cumhuriyet newspaper Ozan Alper Yurtoğlu will stand trial at the Istanbul 15th Criminal Court of First Instance. The case concerns their news report about an opposition party’s "SaBıKa Holding" brochure and includes charges of "insulting the president" and "insulting a public official."
At 11:30 a.m., four police officers will be tried for torture at the Ankara 16th High Criminal Court in a case filed after human rights lawyer Oğuzcan Ozan Kurt was allegedly beaten while in custody. An official forensic report confirms that Kurt suffered violence that impacted his vital functions.
Wednesday, April 30
At 10:25 a.m., the Erciş 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance will hear a case in which journalist İdris Yılmaz is the complainant.
At 9:15 a.m., individuals charged with violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations for attending a commemoration for Ethem Sarısülük will be tried at the Ankara 57th Criminal Court of First Instance.
At 10:00 a.m., the 12th hearing in a civil lawsuit filed against academic and Evrensel newspaper columnist Ceren Sözeri by Turkuvaz Media Group Deputy Chairman Serhat Albayrak will take place at the Istanbul 2nd Commercial Court of First Instance. Albayrak is seeking 200,000 Turkish Liras in damages, claiming harm to his commercial reputation.
At 11:30 a.m., the first hearing of a case against seven people accused of "participating in an unlawful meeting and march without dispersing despite warnings" will be held at the Istanbul 20th Criminal Court of First Instance. The charges relate to protests in Saraçhane following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
At 2:00 p.m., hearings will continue at the Eskişehir 16th Criminal Court of First Instance for individuals detained during an LGBTQ+ Pride March in Eskişehir. The defendants face charges of "violating the Law No. 2911" and "resisting the police."
At 3:00 p.m., Swedish journalist Joakim Medin will face his first hearing at the Ankara 79th Criminal Court of First Instance. MLSA is defending Medin, who was detained at Istanbul Airport on March 28 and subsequently arrested on allegations of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "insulting the president."
