- This month, MLSA monitored 16 court cases involving at least 141 defendants, with journalists making up the majority of those on trial.
- The most common charges were “membership in a terrorist organization,” “terrorist propaganda,” “insulting the president,” “insulting a public official in connection with their duties,” “inciting hatred and hostility among the public,” “publicly disseminating misleading information,” and violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations.
- About half of the hearings began late due to the courts' heavy caseloads. In many hearings, small courtrooms, technical problems, and the exclusion of observers from the courtroom affected the right to a fair trial.
- Thirteen of the 16 monitored cases were adjourned; one ended in an acquittal and two resulted in convictions. Because the judicial recess began in July, many cases were postponed until the fall.
At least 141 people stood trial in 16 cases involving freedom of expression and press freedom monitored by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) between July 1 and July 17, 2026. Most of the hearings took place before Turkey's judicial recess began on July 20.
Thirty-one journalists appear in court this month
Journalists again made up the largest group of defendants. A total of 31 journalists and media workers appeared before judges in the monitored cases, including Timur Soykan, Furkan Karabay, Merdan Yanardağ, Can Öztürk, Zişan Gür, İsminaz Temel, Havva Cuştan, Berivan Kutlu, Hakkı Boltan, as well as 19 journalists and media workers tried together in the same case in Diyarbakır, the largest city in predominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey. Journalists were followed by students, activists, lawyers, politicians, writers, cartoonists and artists among the defendants.
Mass trials also remained a defining feature in July. Sixty-six people were tried in connection with the Saraçhane protests, 26 in the ETHA case, 19 in the Diyarbakır case involving journalists, and 15 in a case related to protests at Boğaziçi University. Across these four mass trials, 126 people were prosecuted, including at least 23 journalists and media workers. The remaining defendants were predominantly students, activists, lawyers and politicians.
The pattern indicated that prosecutions continued to focus less on individual acts than on participation in demonstrations, journalistic activities, and collective actions that authorities characterize as organized activities.
News reports and social media posts again used as evidence
An examination of the charges showed that a significant share of the cases was based on acts falling within the scope of freedom of expression, journalistic activity, and the right to freedom of association.
The most common charges were:
- Membership in a terrorist organization and related offenses: 4 cases (27%) (the ETHA case, the Diyarbakır case involving 19 journalists, and the cases against Berivan Kutlu and Hakkı Boltan)
- Violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations: 2 cases (13%) (the Saraçhane and Boğaziçi protest cases)
- Inciting hatred and hostility among the public: 1 case (7%) (Tuba Ulu)
- Insulting the president: 1 case (7%) (Doğan Pehlevan)
- Publicly disseminating misleading information (Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code): 1 case (7%) (Timur Soykan)
- Resisting a public official to prevent them from performing their duty: 1 case (7%) (one of the charges in the Boğaziçi protest case)
Individual cases also included charges such as political espionage, intentional homicide, and violation of personal rights.
The evidence cited in indictments reflected the same pattern. The most frequently used forms of evidence were:
- News reports, reporting notes, and journalistic activities: 9 cases (60%)
- Social media posts: 7 cases (47%)
- Participation in meetings and demonstrations: 4 cases (27%)
- Police reports: 6 cases (40%)
- Phone calls and call records: 3 cases (20%)
- Statements by confidential witnesses: 2 cases (13%)
- Security camera and public surveillance (MOBESE) footage: 2 cases (13%)
- Alleged possession of banned publications: 1 case (7%)
The figures indicate that, in July, journalistic activities, social media posts, and participation in demonstrations remained the most frequently cited forms of evidence in cases involving freedom of expression. In cases involving terrorism-related charges, police reports and confidential witness statements continued to feature prominently.
Fair trial concerns
The hearings monitored in July also showed that concerns over the right to a fair trial were most evident in courtroom practice.
Nearly half of the monitored hearings began later than scheduled. Most of the delays were attributed to the courts' heavy caseloads or the late arrival of the judicial panel.
In some cases, hearings began late because the defendant arrived after the scheduled start time.
The pattern suggested that court proceedings were not conducted in a predictable or well-scheduled manner.
Inadequate courtroom conditions
Many hearings were held in courtrooms that were too small or poorly ventilated, while participants also reported difficulties hearing proceedings and various technical problems.
In the Saraçhane case, defense statements were interrupted because of problems with the SEGBİS video conferencing system.
In the trial over the killing of Hakan Tosun, the court rejected a request for a larger courtroom. Proceedings were instead broadcast to an overflow room, but technical problems there prevented effective monitoring of the hearing.
In the case against Ekrem İmamoğlu, heard at the courthouse complex in Silivri on the outskirts of Istanbul, the courtroom's limited capacity made it difficult for members of the public to follow the proceedings.
Observers blocked from attending hearings
One of the most notable developments in July was the obstruction of public access to court hearings.
In the ETHA case, observers were not allowed into the courtroom. P24 trial observer Tansu Pişkin was reportedly threatened by security personnel, who also attempted to obtain his identification information.
In the trial over the killing of Hakan Tosun, journalists and trial observers were confronted by police officers for about 45 minutes before being allowed to proceed.
These practices raised serious concerns about the principle of open justice and the public nature of court proceedings.
Heavy security presence continues at hearings
A large number of the monitored hearings took place in the presence of plainclothes police officers, uniformed police officers, or gendarmerie personnel inside or around the courtroom.
In some cases, those attending the hearings viewed the heavy security presence as intimidating.
SEGBİS and technical problems
In several hearings, defendants were unable to connect to the SEGBİS video conferencing system, or the connection was interrupted during the proceedings.
In the Saraçhane case, defense statements were paused because of a technical malfunction, while in the ETHA case, one defendant was unable to establish a SEGBİS connection, limiting the defendant's ability to participate effectively in the hearing.
In one hearing, the judge was recorded as summarizing the defense statement rather than transcribing it in full into the official record. In several cases, disputes arose over whether defense statements had been fully recorded, raising concerns about the transparency and reviewability of the proceedings.
Hearings postponed until after the judicial recess
Thirteen of the 15 monitored hearings (87%) were adjourned.
The reasons for adjournment included:
- Awaiting the prosecutor's opinion on the merits
- Preparation of expert reports
- Outstanding deficiencies in the case file
- Awaiting the outcome of related proceedings
- Granting additional time for the defense
- Hearing witness testimony
- Scheduling a new hearing date because of the judicial recess
Most courts scheduled the next hearings for September, October, November, or December.
Turkey's judicial recess, which began on July 20, will end on Aug. 31, 2026, with the new judicial year beginning on Sept. 1. Most of the cases adjourned in July will resume during the new judicial year.
Cases at different stages of proceedings
A review of the monitored cases showed that the courts continued to handle both newly filed cases and proceedings that have been ongoing for years.
In July, the monitored cases ranged from first hearings to proceedings that had already exceeded 30 hearings. The ETHA case reached its 34th hearing, while the Umut Case reached its 15th hearing.
The pattern underscored that some cases have remained unresolved for years, raising serious concerns about the right to be tried within a reasonable time.
Outcomes
Among the hearings monitored in July:
- One case ended in an acquittal.
- Two cases resulted in convictions.
- Thirteen cases were adjourned.
The acquittal was handed down in the case against 66 people prosecuted over the Saraçhane protests, including journalist Zişan Gür.
The first conviction was issued against comedian Tuba Ulu. The court sentenced Ulu to five months in prison for inciting hatred and hostility among the public.
The other case concluded during the month involved journalist İdris Yılmaz. Following a reversal by the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, the Erciş 1st Criminal Court of First Instance reheard the case and convicted Yılmaz of publicly insulting a public official in connection with their duties. The court reduced the sentence and imposed a judicial fine of TL 8,840. Because of the amount of the fine, the ruling was final and not subject to appeal.
The small number of cases concluded in July reflected the continued predominance of adjournments. With the judicial recess beginning during the month, many proceedings were postponed until the new judicial year, highlighting the continuing challenges to resolving cases within a reasonable time.
