- Six journalists were arrested based on news programs and social security records.
- Six journalists were sentenced to prison following a retrial.
- Lawyer Fırat Epözdemir was detained upon returning from a Council of Europe visit.
This week, press and freedom of expression trials continued in various cities, along with sustained pressure on journalists. The MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit observed 13 trials in two cities.
January 20, Monday
Journalist Mamedoğlu was cleared in a 'Censorship Law' investigation. The investigation into journalist Medine Mamedoğlu, who had posted on social media about large-scale fires in Diyarbakır and Mardin in June, was dismissed. She had been accused of “publicly spreading misleading information.”
January 21, Tuesday
MLSA brings detention of cinematographer Koray Kesik to Constitutional Court.The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has filed an application with Turkey's Constitutional Court over alleged rights violations in the detention of Koray Kesik, the cinematographer of the documentary Bakur. Kesik was detained in May 2024 on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization," a move MLSA argues violated his right to a fair trial and other fundamental freedoms.
The prosecutor claimed earthquake coverage “disrupted peace,” and journalist Batıhan was sentenced to 10 months in prison. The trial of journalist Yüsra Batıhan, who shared news reports about the 2023 earthquakes in Maraş, concluded. The prosecutor alleged her reports “disturbed public peace,” and the court sentenced her to 10 months in prison.
Journalist Ömer Sönmez was charged with “insulting the president.” Ömer Sönmez, a journalist for Erbil-based Rûdaw news, faces charges of “insulting the president” over a post on the social media platform X.
The cases against journalist Karabay for “insulting the president” are being reviewed for potential consolidation. The court decided to review the possibility of merging cases filed against Karabay over social media posts alleging “insulting the president.”
January 22, Wednesday
‘Newborn Gang Prosecutor’ coverage sparks trial: “This case is a violation of press and expression freedom.” The first hearing in a case against Halk TV’s Editor-in-Chief Dinçer Gökçe, Gazete Pencere’s Editor-in-Chief Nilay Can, journalist Veysi Dündar, lawyer İrem Çiçek, and one other individual took place at the Bakırköy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The case stems from reports and social media posts regarding claims that a prosecutor who dismantled the "Newborn Gang" was removed from duty. They are charged with “publicly spreading misleading information.”
January 23, Thursday
Six journalists sentenced to prison in a retrial. Following a Supreme Court reversal, a retrial led to journalist Yakup Çetin being sentenced to 6 years and 3 months for “membership in a terrorist organization.” Ahmet Memiş, Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu, Gökçe Fırat Çulhaoğlu, Ünal Tanık, and Yetkin Yıldız were each sentenced to 1 year and 13 months for “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization.” Ali Akkuş was acquitted of “membership in a terrorist organization.”
The “KCK Press Case” trial involving 46 individuals was postponed to July 17. The court decided to hear the defense of Yüksel Genç, whose file was recently merged with the case, and adjourned the trial.
Lawyer Fırat Epözdemir was detained upon returning from a Council of Europe visit. Fırat Epözdemir, a board member of the Istanbul Bar Association, was detained at the airport after returning from a visit to the Council of Europe organized by MLSA. He was held under a one-day detention order and barred from meeting with a lawyer for 24 hours.
