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:
Trial where Ahmet Altan is accused of insult adjourned until September
First hearing of the trial where imprisoned journalist Ahmet Altan faces “insulting a public officer” charges due to a column he wrote in 2010 was held at Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance located in Kartal, İstanbul. Altan attended the hearing via video-conference from Silivri Prison to present a defense statement, where he is currently serving a sentence for “attempting to overthrow the government.” The trial is adjourned until 17 September.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/trial-where-ahmet-altan-accused-insult-adjourned-until-september
7 are handed down prison sentences in Özgür Gündem columnists’ trial
In the trial where since shuttered Özgür Gündem daily’s Co-Editors-in-Chief, Managing Editor, and 21 columnists faced “terrorist propaganda” charges, 7 people were handed down prison sentences while 8 were acquitted. The case was separated for 7 defendants.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/7-are-handed-down-prison-sentences-ozgur-gundem-columnists-trial
Constitutional Court rejects Osman Kavala’s application, finds no violation of right to liberty and security
Constitutional Court’s General Secretariat rejected Osman Kavala’s individual application today. The high court ruled that Anadolu Kültür Inc. Chairman Osman Kavala’s detention does not violate his right to liberty and security. Kavala was arrested on November 1st, 2017 and has been imprisoned since.
Trial where 27 defendants including Meşale Tolu face terror charges adjourned until October
The trial where 27 defendants including German citizen and Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Meşale Tolu face terror charges is adjourned until October, the court lifted one defendant’s travel ban while judicial control measures for other defendants remain in effect.
Four Peace Academics’ trial adjourned until October
Tenth hearing of the trial where Academics for Peace petition’s signatories Esra Mungan, Meral Camcı, Muzaffer Kaya and Kıvanç Ersoy face “making terrorist propaganda” charges is held at Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. The court decided to wait for Muzaffer Kaya and Kıvanç Ersoy’s rogatory letters to be received from Germany and adjourned the trial until 15 October.
https://medyavehukuk.org/en/four-peace-academics-trial-adjourned-until-october
