EYLEM SONBAHAR
Journalists Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan, and Erdoğan Alayumat, who were arrested and jailed for 24 days on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" due to their reporting, faced their first hearing at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. The court lifted the judicial control measures imposed on the journalists.
The hearing focused on their journalistic activities, with defense arguments emphasizing that their reports were within the scope of journalistic work. Esra Solin Dal and Erdoğan Alayumat were present in court, while Mehmet Aslan joined via video link from Ankara. MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok and several lawyers attended the hearing.
Mehmet Aslan: 'The charges are based on my journalism'
Mehmet Aslan defended himself by stating that the charges against him were directly related to his journalistic activities. "During the investigation, I explained that the case consists of my professional work. Forty-one of my news reports are being treated as criminal. These reports were based on documents and interviews. The authorities are using my reports on Abdullah Öcalan's isolation as grounds for charges. As a journalist, I write freely and independently. The charges against me are entirely related to my journalism," he said.
Esra Solin Dal: 'I was targeted for 65 of my reports'
Journalist Esra Solin Dal expressed her frustration with the charges, stating that her work as a journalist, particularly on women’s rights, had been criminalized. "I contacted women's organizations for a report on femicides, and now those calls are used as evidence against me. It is demoralizing as a journalist to see 65 of my reports treated as crimes. Some of the social media posts attributed to me aren’t even mine," she said.
Erdoğan Alayumat: 'My reports on isolation are not personal opinions'
Erdoğan Alayumat defended his reporting on the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, stating that the reports were based on interviews with lawyers, family members, and politicians. "I did not only report on Öcalan. I produced numerous reports on various topics and would like to submit them to the court. Reporting on Öcalan is not a crime. Mehmet Ali Birand interviewed Öcalan and published it—he wasn’t jailed for that," Alayumat remarked. He emphasized that none of his reports were criminal and stated, "Journalism is not a crime, and our profession cannot be criminalized."
Defense lawyers: 'No concrete evidence of a crime'
The journalists’ lawyers argued that the charges were baseless and politically motivated. Emine Özhasar, representing Alayumat, stated, "There is no evidence of a crime in the case, yet the file claims there is. Even phone calls made for news reporting are being treated as criminal activity. This case is full of irrelevant details." Veysel Ok highlighted that the focus on Öcalan-related reports was intended to create a biased perception, questioning, "Is there no news value in Öcalan-related reports?"
Court lifts judicial controls, continues case
The court ordered the removal of judicial control measures on the journalists, citing that their defenses had been taken. It also requested updates from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding ongoing investigations into journalists Alayumat and Aslan. The case was adjourned to February 11, 2025.
Case background
Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan, and Erdoğan Alayumat were detained in raids conducted on April 23, 2024, as part of an investigation centered in Istanbul. The Mezopotamya Agency journalists were held in custody for three days and later jailed on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization." They were released on May 21, 2024, pending trial.
