MLSA - Journalist Perihan Erkılınç Okay was released under judicial supervision after her first hearing at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, where she faced charges of "membership in a terrorist organization." The court imposed a travel ban and a requirement to check in with authorities once a week.
Okay had been held in pre-trial detention since May 2. She was accused based on her social media posts, participation in May Day events, and statements from witnesses. At the hearing, she denied all allegations and stated, “I am a journalist. The documents in question are related to my profession.”
Okay also told the court that her health had deteriorated in Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison, where she was being held, due to her celiac disease and asthma. She requested to be released, citing poor prison conditions.
During a search of her home, police seized banners and a notebook that were cited in the indictment as evidence. The banners, signed by the leftist group Partizan, read “Stop subcontracting and precarity! Take to the streets on May Day!” and “Against poverty and crisis, take to the streets on May Day!”
The indictment also cited her use of the name "Sevda" as evidence against her. In her defense statement, Okay explained that “Sevda” is her middle name, which she has used publicly and even attempted to add to her ID through legal channels.
Challenging the characterization of her reporting work as criminal, Okay said, “Journalism is not a crime. I was doing journalism.” She denied having any involvement with the social media accounts of Özgür Gelecek and Partizan, two outlets cited in the case.
Key witness testimony undermined
The prosecution’s main evidence centered on testimony from Rüzgar Kırtan, who testified via video link from prison. He previously claimed that Zeki Varol, a fellow inmate at Elazığ No. 1 High-Security Prison, told him that Okay was active in the outlawed TKP-ML TİKKO, a Marxist-Leninist armed group, and responsible for one of its cells. Kırtan also said Varol told him that Okay had relayed organizational information to another inmate, Ahmet Elma.
However, when Zeki Varol appeared via video during the same hearing, he rejected those claims and stated that he did not know Okay. “Rüzgar is lying to get a reduced sentence under the effective remorse law,” Varol said. “He’s dragged me into his lies.”
Another witness, Ahmet Elma, confirmed he is related to Okay and said she had visited him occasionally, but denied any organizational ties. He also said he did not know the secret witness.
Despite contradictions in the testimony, the prosecutor requested that Okay remain in detention, citing the overall evidence and witness statements.
Attorney challenges “code name” allegation
Okay’s attorney, Kemal Toraman, criticized the prosecution's argument that “Sevda” was a code name, calling the indictment careless. “My client used the name Sevda in her email address and to buy bus tickets. Code names are meant to be secret — why would she use one for buying a bus ticket?” he asked.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court ruled in favor of releasing Okay with judicial control measures, including a travel ban and mandatory weekly reporting to authorities. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026.
Turkey has faced ongoing criticism from human rights organizations for its treatment of journalists and broad application of anti-terror laws. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists and other advocacy groups, dozens of journalists remain behind bars or face prosecution under similar charges.
