During the week of March 3, a total of 20 journalists, 19 lawyers, and two activists were tried in cases monitored by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). Journalists primarily faced charges related to their social media posts and news reports, while some lawyers were prosecuted for their professional activities.
In addition, Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) President Orhan Turan and board member Ömer Aras were charged with “publicly disseminating misleading information via press and broadcast” over their remarks criticizing the arrests of journalists and government-appointed trustees during TÜSİAD's general assembly on Feb. 13. Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of up to 5 years and 3 months.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade launched an investigation into food critic Vedat Milör over a video he recorded at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Kent Lokantası, alleging it was "covert advertising."
Halk TV trial: Journalists acquitted, Suat Toktaş released
On March 4, Istanbul’s 54th Criminal Court of First Instance acquitted journalists Barış Pehlivan, Suat Toktaş, Kürşad Oğuz, Seda Selek, and Serhan Asker of “attempting to influence judicial proceedings.” The charges stemmed from their publication of an interview with a court-appointed expert, whose name was revealed by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
However, separate charges of “recording non-public conversations” and “publishing recorded conversations in the press” were referred to a mediation process due to procedural deficiencies. Suat Toktaş, the editor-in-chief of Halk TV, was released after 34 days in pretrial detention.
Yeni Asya editor-in-chief sentenced to 1 year, 3 months in prison
Kazım Güleçyüz, editor-in-chief of Yeni Asya newspaper, was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison by Istanbul’s 28th High Criminal Court for “spreading terrorist propaganda” over a social media post about Fethullah Gülen’s alleged death. While two other defendants were acquitted, one co-defendant received the same sentence as Güleçyüz.
Human rights activist Nimet Tanrıkulu released
The 24th High Criminal Court of Istanbul ruled to release human rights activist Nimet Tanrıkulu, who was on trial for alleged “membership in a terrorist organization.” However, the court imposed a travel ban and required her to check in with authorities regularly. The next hearing is set for April 22.
Istanbul Bar Association trial begins
The first hearing in a case seeking the dismissal of Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and his executive board members took place at Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. One of the board members, Fırat Epözdemir, is currently in pretrial detention at Marmara (Silivri) Prison on separate charges. The trial was adjourned until March 21.
Evrensel newspaper journalists sentenced in defamation case
Kürşat Yılmaz, the publisher of Evrensel, and former responsible news editor Görkem Kınacı were sentenced to 10 months in prison for “slander” in a lawsuit filed by Serhat Albayrak, vice chairman of Turkuvaz Media Group. The 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance of Istanbul dismissed additional charges of “insult.”
Other ongoing trials and delays
- Journalist Onur Öncü’s defamation case was postponed to March 18. He is being sued by Milat newspaper’s Ankara bureau chief Özlem Doğan.
- Zeynep Kuray’s trial for “terrorist propaganda” over her social media posts from 2014 to 2023 was postponed to May 8.
- Hayko Bağdat’s trial, also for “terrorist propaganda,” was adjourned until July 10.
- Furkan Karabay faces a defamation lawsuit filed by Bilal Erdoğan, son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, over a social media post. The lawsuit, demanding 250,000 TL in damages, was postponed to July 8.
- Yenidoğan gang report case: Journalists Dinçer Gökçe, Nilay Can, Veysi Dündar, and lawyer İrem Çiçek are on trial for “publicly disseminating misleading information” over a report about the dismissal of a prosecutor investigating the Yenidoğan gang. Their case was adjourned to May 28.
- Hatice Şahin’s retrial continues. She was previously sentenced to 6 years and 3 months for “terrorist organization membership,” but the Appeals Court overturned the ruling. The Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court is reviewing the case, and her travel ban remains in place.
- Ercan Aktaş’s trial for “discouraging military service” and “terrorist propaganda” was postponed until Sept. 3.
These trials highlight ongoing concerns about press freedom and the criminalization of journalism in Turkey.
