This week saw ongoing pressure on journalists with multiple trials related to press and expression freedom across different cities in Turkey. Key events included:
July 17, Wednesday
Police camera failed to capture torture of journalists, expert report says
Despite documentation by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) showing three journalists being beaten by police while being detained, an expert report did not acknowledge the violence. The report revealed that the police camera was directed to film a different area after the journalists were forced to the ground and handcuffed. The three journalists, whose defense is being handled by the MLSA, were subjected to this treatment during their arrest at the May Day march in Saraçhane.
May Day trial: 'Did you shout the Kaypakkaya slogan?'
In the trial of 17 individuals detained at the May Day protests in Saraçhane, it was highlighted that slogans not actually shouted were included in the indictment. The defense argued that chanting slogans about İbrahim Kaypakkaya is not a crime but falls under freedom of thought and expression. The case was adjourned to October 18.
Dink family files criminal complaint against responsible public officials
Lawyers for the Dink family have filed a criminal complaint against several former public officials, including former Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah, former Istanbul Intelligence Branch Chief Ahmet İlhan Güler, and former Intelligence Department Chief Engin Dinç, for "violating the constitution" and "premeditated murder" in connection with the murder of Agos newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink.
July 18, Thursday
All defendants released in May Day trial
In the first hearing of the trial concerning the May Day protests in Istanbul, all 25 detained defendants were released. The trial involves 30 people who were arrested during house raids following their attempt to march from Saraçhane to Taksim on May 1, 2024. They were charged with "resisting to prevent officers from performing their duty," "participating in illegal meetings and demonstrations without dispersing despite warnings," "intentional injury," and "damaging public property."
Public officials blame each other in Dink murder trial: 'Was I supposed to do their job?'
The sixth hearing of the retrial of 15 public officials, seven of whom are detained, for their alleged roles in the murder of Agos newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink continued for a second day at Istanbul's 14th High Criminal Court. Defendants, including those in custody and under house arrest, continued to present their defenses, often shifting blame onto each other for failing to prevent the assassination.
