This week saw continued legal battles and mounting pressure against journalists in Turkey, as cases involving press and freedom of expression proceeded across various provinces. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) tracked eight trials in two cities, underscoring the sustained challenges facing journalists and media workers.
Nov. 12, Tuesday
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Call for Furkan Karabay’s release
MLSA and six other press freedom organizations issued a joint statement demanding the release of journalist Furkan Karabay, detained over his reporting on an investigation into Esenyurt’s former mayor. The statement described Karabay’s imprisonment as a troubling example of the increasing criminalization of reporting on judicial matters. -
Gözde Bedeloğlu fined over column
BirGün columnist Gözde Bedeloğlu was sentenced to a judicial fine of 7,080 Turkish lira over her article titled “Those Who Have Protected the State from Past to Present.” The court ruled in favor of a complaint filed by a Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) MP, citing charges of “insulting a public official.” -
Judicial controls upheld for Kamış and Çolak
In the case of journalists Mehmet Kamış and Ali Çolak, released in July, the court denied requests to lift judicial controls and return seized digital materials. The trial was postponed to Feb. 13, 2025.
Nov. 13, Wednesday
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Media solidarity groups: “Freedom of expression under severe threat”
Eleven press organizations, including MLSA, criticized escalating restrictions on press and expression, emphasizing the worsening environment for journalists and civil liberties in Turkey. -
Sezin Uçar’s signature obligation lifted
Lawyer Sezin Uçar, one of the defendants in a seven-year-long trial involving journalists and lawyers, had her signature requirement lifted. The court deferred decisions on other defendants' judicial controls until sentencing. -
Journalists obstructed in Batman protests
Journalists covering protests in Batman against trustee appointments reported being prevented from filming by police, likening the restrictions to practices from the 1990s.
Nov. 14, Thursday
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Cihan Çelik faces charges over Koçgiri folk song
Folk artist Cihan Çelik stood trial for alleged “terrorist propaganda” after performing the traditional song Koçgiri Başladı Harba during a 2011 event in Belgium. Prosecutors argued the song legitimized violence and called for his conviction. -
Trial begins for İdris Yılmaz over police violence post
Journalist İdris Yılmaz appeared in court over a social media post alleging police violence during protests in Van. Yılmaz denied wrongdoing, stating his post reflected widely shared claims and that the victim had filed a formal complaint. The trial was adjourned to Jan. 9, 2025.
This week’s events highlight persistent legal pressures on journalists and media workers, with rights groups raising alarms about the deteriorating state of press freedom in Turkey.
