The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has appealed to Turkey’s Constitutional Court over a travel ban imposed on journalist Zeynep Kuray as part of a judicial control measure.
Kuray was detained on Dec. 21, 2024, in Istanbul’s Şişhane district while covering a press statement organized by journalist unions to protest the killing of journalists in Syria. After being held in custody for two days, she was released under judicial control, which included a requirement to sign in weekly and a travel ban.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office later indicted Kuray and 13 other journalists on charges of "terror propaganda" and "violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations." The indictment was accepted by the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court. Following an appeal by MLSA, the court lifted Kuray’s requirement to sign in weekly but upheld the travel ban, rejecting MLSA’s objection.
In response, MLSA's legal team brought the case before the Constitutional Court, arguing that the travel ban violates Kuray’s rights to freedom of expression, personal liberty, security, and privacy. The application also stressed that such measures could have a chilling effect on other journalists.
The first hearing in the trial of Kuray and 13 other journalists is scheduled for April 11, 2025, at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court.
