Cinematographer Koray Kesik will appear before a court next week on charges of “making propaganda for an organization” stemming from his work on the documentary Bakur. The first hearing in the case is scheduled for April 2 at the Batman 2nd High Criminal Court, in southeastern Turkey.
Kesik is being prosecuted over his role in the 2013 documentary Bakur. The investigation into him was launched on April 24, 2024, by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with legal support provided by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). On the same day, police searched his home in the coastal town of Urla, seizing digital materials and a book titled Bakur Notes, written by the film’s director Ertuğrul Mavioğlu.
Kesik was detained on May 2, 2024, and held in custody for four days. During this period, his right to meet with his lawyer was restricted for the first 24 hours. After being referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest, he was released under judicial control measures, including a ban on leaving the country.
Travel ban prevents international participation
Due to the ongoing travel ban, Kesik has been unable to attend numerous international events, including an invitation to a documentary screening at the Maxim Gorki Theater in Germany. Appeals against the judicial control measure have been rejected, and the travel ban has remained in place for nearly two years.
Evidence cited in the indictment
The indictment, prepared on Oct. 23, 2025, cites Kesik’s travels related to the documentary’s filming, digital materials seized during the house search, his social media posts, and the content of the Bakur documentary as evidence.
Although a court had previously rejected a request to ban and confiscate the book Bakur Notes, the publication was still included in the indictment as evidence against him.
Backlash from the arts community
Kesik’s detention drew criticism from documentary filmmakers and the broader arts community. Numerous individuals and institutions, including founding members of the Documentary Filmmakers Association, called for his release, arguing that he is being prosecuted for his professional activities.
Expert opinions: “Not propaganda but a documentary”
Expert opinions submitted to the court by Article 19 and the Cinema Work Owners’ Professional Association (BSB) stated that the Bakur documentary contains no calls for or praise of violence and should be regarded as a documentary reflecting social reality, not propaganda. The experts emphasized that the case should be evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression.
What is the Bakur documentary about?
The Bakur documentary focuses on the withdrawal of PKK militants from Turkey during the period known as the “solution process,” which began in 2013. The film depicts the daily lives of PKK members in mountainous areas of southeastern Turkey, their perspectives on the withdrawal, and narratives about the role of women within the organization.
Filmed between 2013 and 2015, the documentary was released in 2015 and received numerous awards at national and international festivals.
Case against the directors under review by Court of Cassation
In a separate case against the film’s directors, Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Çayan Demirel, earlier convictions were upheld by a regional appellate court and the file was sent to the Court of Cassation for review.
A 30-year documentary career faces trial
Koray Kesik has worked as a cinematographer in documentary filmmaking since the early 1990s. He began his career in 1993 at VTR Research Production and has contributed as a cameraman and director of photography to numerous documentaries focusing on Turkey’s social, cultural, and historical issues. His work has been screened at national and international festivals, and he is regarded as a significant contributor to documentary cinema.
