Several journalism and free speech trials were held last week. Below is a list of the hearings monitored by Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) last week:
Journalist Ayşegül Doğan’s trial adjourned until 11 September
The trial where journalist Ayşegül Doğan faces up to 22 and a half years in prison for her journalistic activities resumed in Diyarbakır, the court ruled to have Doğan provide sample voice recordings at the Forensic Medicine Department in İstanbul and adjourned the trial until 11 September.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/journalist-aysegul-dogans-hearing-adjourned-until-11-september
Journalist Karataş’s international travel ban not lifted, again
Fifth hearing of the trial where Evrensel columnist Yusuf Karataş faces up to 22 years in prison for “founding and managing a terrorist organization” charges took place at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court today, the court did not lift Karataş’s international travel ban and adjourned the trial until 11 September.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/journalist-karatass-international-travel-ban-not-lifted-again
9 people are convicted in the trial of Özgür Gündem Editors-in-Chief on Watch
Eleventh hearing of the trial where 13 journalists and writers face “making terrorist propaganda” charges for participating in the “Editors-in-Chief on Watch” campaign in solidarity with the since shut-down Özgür Gündem daily was held at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court today. 8 people who took part in the Editors-in-Chief on Watch campaign and one person whose letter from prison was published in the newspaper received prison sentences.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/9-people-are-convicted-trial-ozgur-gundem-editors-chief-watch
Journalist Toker’s trial where she’s sued for ₺1.5 million is adjourned until July
The trial of of journalist Çiğdem Toker resumed at Ankara 13th Civil Court of First Instance. Toker was sued by Şenbay Madencilik Inc. with a request of 1.5 million Turkish Liras in reparations; the company pressed charges against Toker for her article titled “If you’re looking to reduce spending, start with subway tenders,” which was published in Cumhuriyet daily on 27 October 2017. The court gave both parties 2 weeks to present all evidence to the court and decided to request certified documents about the tender mentioned in Toker's concerned article from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in writing. The trial is adjourned until 9 July.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/journalist-tokers-trial-where-shes-sued-15-million-adjourned-until-july
Journalist Sertaç Kayar’s trial is adjourned until 26 June
The trial where journalist Sertaç Kayar is charged with “founding and managing a terrorist organization” for his journalistic activities is adjourned until 26 June in order to complete missing documents in the file and collect witness testimonies.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/journalist-sertac-kayars-trial-adjourned-until-26-june
Journalist Haydar Ergül is released after 15 months
8th hearing of the trial where 19 defendants including Demokratik Modernite journal’s editor Haydar Ergül face “membership in a terrorist organization” charges was held at the İstanbul 22nd High Criminal Court today. Ergül and seven others have been tried whilst in detention for over a year. During today’s hearing, the court ruled to release Ergül and three others. The trial is adjourned until 28 June.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/journalist-haydar-ergul-released-after-15-months