- At least 130 people were tried in 19 cases monitored in March 2026 by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), with 42% of the cases targeting journalists, highlighting ongoing concerns over freedom of expression and fair trial standards in Turkey.
- The most common charges were those directed at expression, including “insulting the President,” “insulting a public official,” “inciting hatred and hostility among the public,” and “spreading misleading information.”
- Proceedings were frequently marred by delays, inadequate courtroom conditions, and interventions in defense statements, raising questions about adherence to fair trial principles.
More than a quarter of hearings (26%) started late due to court workload, while 37% were held in physically inadequate courtrooms. Law enforcement presence was recorded in over 40% of hearings, and nearly half (47%) were postponed. These practices, the report found, increasingly undermined the right to a fair trial in courtroom proceedings.
Journalists made up the largest group of defendants
Journalists constituted the largest group among defendants. At least 8 of the monitored cases (42%) directly targeted journalists, including well-known figures such as Zafer Arapkirli, Vedat Örüç, Oğuz Bakır, Furkan Karabay, Engin Deniz İpek, Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, and Enver Aysever. Other defendants included lawyers, politicians, human rights defenders, artists, and students.
A significant portion of trials involved mass cases. At least 4 cases (21%) included 30 or more defendants, notably those related to the Saraçhane protests in central Istanbul and the Trans Pride March, reflecting a judicial focus on collective activities rather than individual actions.
Charges and evidence centered on expression and assembly
The report found that prosecutions largely relied on expression and organizational activities:
- “Membership in an organization” and similar charges: at least 6 cases (32%)
- Violations of Law No. 2911 on meetings and demonstrations: at least 5 cases (26%)
- Expression-related offenses: at least 6 cases (32%)
Evidence cited in indictments included:
- Participation in meetings and demonstrations: at least 7 cases (37%)
- News content and social media posts: at least 6 cases (32%)
- Police reports and camera recordings: at least 5 cases (26%)
- Secret witness statements, particularly in “organization” cases
In some cases, a single social media post or journalistic activity formed the basis of prosecution. Journalist Zafer Arapkirli was tried over a social media post, while Oğuz Bakır faced trial for similar reasons. In another case, 35 individuals, including journalist Engin Deniz İpek who covered the Saraçhane protest, were prosecuted solely for attending a demonstration.
The profile of complainants was also notable, including the President, prosecutors, ministries, and other state authorities, raising concerns about impartiality, particularly in cases involving expression-related charges.
Courtroom practices raise fair trial concerns
The hearings monitored in March revealed systemic issues affecting fair trial rights.
Delayed hearings: At least 5 hearings (26%) did not begin on time, mostly due to court workload or delays by judicial panels, indicating a lack of orderly case management.
Inadequate courtroom conditions: In at least 7 hearings (37%), courtrooms were small, poorly ventilated, and had inadequate acoustics. Requests to move to larger courtrooms were sometimes denied. In one hearing, police radio noise made it difficult to hear statements and created pressure on defendants.
Interventions in defense statements: In at least 4 hearings (21%), judges interrupted defense statements, addressed defendants informally, or limited the number of lawyers, raising concerns about equality of arms and effective defense rights.
Law enforcement presence: Police were present in or around the courtroom in at least 8 hearings (42%). In at least 3 hearings (16%), armed and uniformed police remained inside despite objections. In some cases, heavy police presence was described as “intimidating,” and radio noise disrupted proceedings. This was particularly evident in political and mass trials, where courtroom environments appeared to fall short of neutrality.
Technical issues (SEGBİS): In at least 3 hearings (16%), defendants were unable to participate via the SEGBİS video system due to connection problems, limiting their effective participation.
Court records: In at least 4 hearings (21%), defense statements were not fully recorded in official transcripts and were instead summarized or reduced to standard phrases, undermining transparency and accountability.
Frequent postponements and procedural delays
At least 9 hearings (47%) were postponed. Reasons included:
- Addressing missing procedural issues
- انتظار enforcement of arrest warrants
- Awaiting outcomes of other cases
- Prosecutors being on leave
In some cases, the same reasons were repeatedly cited, and proceedings advanced without addressing the merits, posing risks to the right to trial within a reasonable time.
Case stages show both early and prolonged proceedings
Among the 19 monitored cases:
- 8 cases (42%) were in their 1st or 2nd hearings
- 4 cases (21%) were between the 3rd and 5th hearings
- 3 cases (16%) were between the 6th and 10th hearings
- 4 cases (21%) had reached the 11th hearing or beyond
This distribution showed that while many cases remain at an early stage, a significant portion have been ongoing for extended periods. Early-stage postponements without addressing the substance pointed to inefficiencies, while prolonged cases raised concerns over the right to a timely trial.
The report noted that these patterns make the right to a fair trial—guaranteed under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 36 of Turkey’s Constitution—increasingly questionable in terms of both duration and predictability.
Verdicts remain limited
In March:
- 3 acquittals were issued
- 3 convictions were handed down
Prison sentences included:
- Ahmet Altan: 4 years, 6 months
- Nazlı Ilıcak: 3 years, 9 months
- Orhan Turan and Ömer Aras: 1 year, 3 months, 18 days each
- Enver Aysever: 10 months
Among acquittals, a prominent case involved 35 defendants, including journalist Engin Deniz İpek, who had been tried for following the Saraçhane protest.
The relatively low number of concluded cases indicated that most proceedings were postponed, and the rate of final judgments on the merits remained limited.
