A total of 21 journalists stood trial across Turkey during the week of April 14, facing charges ranging from “insulting the president” to “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorist propaganda.” Several hearings also involved lawyers and human rights defenders, as press freedom and freedom of expression continue to face legal challenges in the country. Two detained journalists were released during the week, while others received prison sentences or had their trials postponed.
Cases split in trial of journalists detained after Saraçhane protests
The trial of eight journalists who were detained while covering protests in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu has been separated from the main case. The journalists had been taken into custody in home raids on March 26 and were detained for one day before being released on March 27.
The defendants include AFP photojournalist Yasin Akgül, photojournalist Bülent Kılıç, journalist Zeynep Kuray, and Emre Orman — all represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA). Others on trial include photographers Gökhan Kam and Kurtuluş Arı, Now TV reporter Ali Onur Tosun, and journalist Hayri Tunç. They are charged with “attending an unlawful assembly and failing to disperse despite warning.” The first hearing was held on April 18 at the Istanbul 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
Necla Demir sentenced but released; Velat Ekin acquitted
Journalist Necla Demir, who had been jailed since January in a case led by the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, was sentenced to 1 year, 1 month, and 13 days in prison for “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization.” Despite the sentence, Demir was released from pretrial detention.
In a separate but related case, journalist Velat Ekin was acquitted of “membership in a terrorist organization” during the first hearing of his trial and was also released from custody.
Furkan Karabay sentenced for comments about Erdoğan family
Journalist Furkan Karabay was sentenced to 2 years, 1 month, and 10 days in prison by the Istanbul 56th Criminal Court of First Instance for “insulting the president” and “slander” over comments made in a YouTube broadcast concerning the family of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Additionally, former presidential lawyer Mustafa Doğan İnal filed a civil lawsuit against Karabay seeking 100,000 Turkish lira in damages. In that case, the court requested files from the previous criminal case. The next hearing is set for July 8, 2025.
Hearing in Özlem Gürses case postponed
A hearing in the trial of journalist Özlem Gürses — accused of “openly insulting the military institution of the state” over comments on her YouTube channel — was postponed to April 24, 2025, after her attorney informed the court that Gürses would be present at the next session.
Melisa Gülbaş’s trial adjourned to October
Journalist Melisa Gülbaş is facing charges of “insulting a public official” for her coverage critical of the administration at Istanbul’s Boğaziçi University. The court ruled to review an administrative case file related to the academic who filed the complaint and adjourned the trial to October 9, 2025.
Bahadır Özgür receives suspended sentence for remarks at book fair
Investigative journalist Bahadır Özgür was sentenced to 3 months and 22 days in prison by the Mudanya 1st Criminal Court of First Instance for “openly insulting the government” under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, over a speech delivered at the Mudanya Book Fair. The sentence was suspended under a deferred judgment ruling.
Prosecutor seeks acquittal in trial of Burcu Kara
At the second hearing in the case against Mücadele Birliği reporter Lütfiye Burcu Kara — who is charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” — the prosecution recommended acquittal. The case is being heard at the Izmir 2nd High Criminal Court.
Alican Uludağ acquitted
Journalist Alican Uludağ was acquitted in a retrial over charges of “violating confidentiality” for a news story published in 2017.
Court delays Hazal Ocak damages case
The court postponed a civil lawsuit seeking 200,000 Turkish lira in damages from journalist Hazal Ocak over her report titled “The groom knows the business.” The court decided to wait for the criminal court's acquittal ruling on the same matter to become final.
Hayri Demir sentenced for propaganda
The Ankara 15th High Criminal Court sentenced journalist Hayri Demir to 2 years and 9 months in prison for “terrorist propaganda.” The evidence cited included visual materials and notes stored on an external hard drive, statements by a secret witness, and a financial crimes report. Observers from MLSA and DİSK Basın-İş union attended the hearing, during which the court issued a travel ban on Demir. Audience members and journalists were removed from the courtroom as the verdict was read.
Prosecutor seeks conviction in Naci Sapan case
Tigris Haber columnist Naci Sapan is being retried for allegedly insulting public officials in a column titled “Trustees and little trustees!” After previously receiving an administrative fine and probation, Sapan appealed. The Diyarbakır 14th Criminal Court of First Instance postponed the trial to April 20, 2025, to allow preparation of defense statements.
Can Dündar’s two cases remain pending
Journalist Can Dündar remains wanted in two separate cases — one over participation in the “Editor-in-Chief on Watch” solidarity campaign, where he is accused of “publishing terrorist organization statements,” and another over his report on intelligence trucks allegedly carrying weapons to Syria, where he is charged with “espionage.” Both trials are on hold pending execution of arrest warrants.
Trials of three lawyers postponed
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The trial of lawyer Süleyman Şahin, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” for offering free legal aid to detainees, was postponed to June 17, 2025, by the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. Evidence cited includes his bar association membership and affiliation with the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD). Observers from the International Association of Lawyers, Diyarbakır Bar Association, and the Human Rights Association (İHD) attended the hearing.
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In the case of lawyer Adile Salman, accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and facing up to 15 years in prison, the court postponed proceedings to May 29, 2025, pending updates on the investigation. Salman is accused based on phone calls with colleagues and her legal work for detainees.
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The court also delayed proceedings in the case against lawyer Necat Çiçek, who was detained on April 25, 2023, alongside journalists, politicians, and artists. He faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charges, with allegations based on his ÖHD membership and prison visits. The next hearing is set for May 29, 2025.
Newroz organizers sentenced to prison
The Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court sentenced five people — Hafize İpek, Hüsnü Pervane, Mahmut Çiftçi, Ramazan Kaval, and Abdulgani Alkan — to prison terms ranging from 5 months to 6 years and 3 months for allegedly organizing the 2016 Newroz (Kurdish New Year) celebrations in Diyarbakır. They were convicted of violating the Law on Demonstrations and of “membership in a terrorist organization.”
Trial of 90 protesters delayed due to overcrowding
The first hearing in the trial of 90 young people arrested during home raids for protesting the annulment of Mayor İmamoğlu’s university diploma and his subsequent detention was postponed due to courtroom constraints. Initially scheduled at the Istanbul 65th Criminal Court of First Instance, the hearing was moved to the 13th High Criminal Court but was again postponed due to the number of defendants and lack of space.
Letters from prison
Three imprisoned journalists sent messages this week to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA):
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Vedat Örüç, writing from Mersin Prison, said, “Our journalism cannot be put on trial.”
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Elif Akgül, in a message from Bakırköy Prison, urged, “Let’s not remain spectators until we return to the field.”
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Joakim Medin, writing from Silivri Prison, shared, “I want to believe that the pen is mightier than the sword.”
MLSA challenges media watchdog ruling
MLSA also announced that it has filed an appeal against a decision in a case involving Turkey’s media regulator, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK). Further details were not immediately available.
