This week, various court cases involving journalists and charges against freedom of expression will continue. MLSA’s Trial Monitoring Unit will share updates on the hearings in Turkish and English via their Twitter account @MLSADavaTakip.
December 2, Monday
10:00 a.m.: The fourth hearing in the retrial of former Taraf newspaper executives Ahmet Altan, Yasemin Çongar, Yıldıray Oğur, and reporter Mehmet Baransu will take place at the Istanbul Anadolu 2nd High Criminal Court. The defendants are accused of "using documents related to state security for purposes other than intended," "obtaining such documents fraudulently," and "disclosing and procuring documents that should remain confidential for state security."
December 3, Tuesday
9:00 a.m.: Journalist Geşbun Ayşe Kara will attend the third hearing of her retrial at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. Kara had been acquitted of charges of "membership in a terrorist organization," but the decision was overturned on appeal.
December 4, Wednesday
11:15 a.m.: Journalists Semiha Şahin and Pınar Gayıp face the fourth hearing in their retrial at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court. They are charged with "membership in a terrorist organization" and "terrorist propaganda."
December 5, Thursday
9:25 a.m.: The 11th hearing of a trial against former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish HDP party Figen Yüksekdağ, former parliamentary group leaders İdris Baluken and Çağlar Demirel, and MPs Altan Tan, Ahmet Yıldırım, Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Mehmet Ali Aslan, and Saadet Becerikli will take place at the Silvan 1st Criminal Court of First Instance. They face charges of "resisting to prevent officials from performing their duties," "insulting public officials due to their duties," and "insulting the president."
10:15 a.m.: Journalist Mehmet Göcekli will attend the eighth hearing of his trial at the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court. Göcekli faces charges of "terrorist propaganda" based on his social media posts.
10:30 a.m.: The Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court will begin the retrial of journalist Aziz Oruç, who had been sentenced to two years and one month in prison for "terrorist propaganda" due to social media posts. The sentence was overturned by the Court of Cassation.
10:30 a.m.: Lawyer Burhan Arta’s trial at the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court will continue. He is charged with "membership in a terrorist organization" based on the testimony of Ümit Akbıyık, a state informant.
December 6, Friday
10:00 a.m.: The third hearing of a trial against 17 people arrested during May Day protests in Istanbul will take place at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court. The defendants face charges of "participating in an unlawful meeting and demonstration without arms and refusing to disperse despite warnings," "terrorist propaganda," and "praising crime and criminals."
10:30 a.m.: Lawyer Nazan Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı will attend the second hearing of her trial at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court. She has been detained on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization."
11:00 a.m.: The 11th hearing of a trial involving Yağmur Kaya and 51 Boğaziçi University students will take place at the Istanbul 17th Criminal Court of First Instance. The students are charged with "violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations (Law No. 2911)." MLSA is providing legal defense for Kaya and several of the students.
