A large number of trials involving journalists, activists and students will continue this week. Cases brought under charges related to freedom of expression, the right to assembly and demonstration, and “insulting the president” stand out. Hearings to be held in several provinces, particularly Istanbul and Diyarbakir in southeastern Turkey, will see not only journalists but also many activists appear before judges.
Monday, April 13, 2026
10:35 – The 10th hearing in the case against journalist Rüstem Batum, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, on charges of “insulting the president” over his social media posts will be held at the Istanbul 76th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
09:10 – The third hearing in the case against journalist Hakkı Boltan and publishing house employee Delil Zengeralp, charged with “making organization propaganda” over books displayed at the Diyarbakir Book Fair, will be held at the Diyarbakir 4th High Criminal Court.
10:00 – The third hearing in the case against journalist Berivan Kutlu, charged with “making organization propaganda” based on her social media posts after the Feb. 6 earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras in southern Turkey, will be held at the Diyarbakir 4th High Criminal Court.
10:20 – The first hearing in the case against JINNEWS reporter Elfazi Toral, journalist Sema Korkmaz and an activist, filed after they were detained while covering a press statement, will be held at the Istanbul 25th Criminal Court of First Instance. Observers were unable to follow the previous hearing due to restrictions imposed on entry to the courthouse.
11:40 – A hearing will be held at the Bakirkoy 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in the case against journalists Timur Soykan and Barış Pehlivan on charges of “spreading misleading information.”
14:00 – A hearing will be held at the Istanbul 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance in the case against journalist Zafer Arapkirli on charges of “inciting hatred and hostility among the public” and “spreading misleading information.”
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
09:03 – The second hearing in the retrial of journalist İdris Yılmaz, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, will be held at the Ercis 1st Criminal Court of First Instance after the Court of Cassation overturned his sentence for alleged “insult.”
10:00 – A hearing will be held at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court in the case against journalist Ender İmrek on charges of “membership in an organization.”
11:00 – The fifth hearing in the case against journalist Buse Söğütlü, student Bengisu Ebrar Çankaya and three others, filed after they were detained while covering the 21st Feminist Night March, will be held at the Istanbul 10th Criminal Court of First Instance. The court had adjourned the case after ordering the forced appearance of complainant police officers.
11:20 – The first hearing in the case against journalist Cihan Berk on charges of “membership in an organization” will be held at the Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
09:50 – The ninth hearing in the case against journalist Umut Taştan and 50 others, filed after they were detained while covering the Gezi Park protests, will be held at the Istanbul 44th Criminal Court of First Instance. The absence of the defendants at the previous hearing had drawn attention.
10:05 – The 10th hearing in the case against journalist Mehmet Şah Oruç on charges of “membership in an organization” will be held at the Bitlis 2nd High Criminal Court. The previous hearing was postponed due to an excuse.
10:20 – A hearing will be held at the Agri 2nd High Criminal Court in the case against journalist Abdullah Kaya, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, on charges of “membership in an organization.”
11:20 – A hearing will be held at the Istanbul 27th Criminal Court of First Instance in the case against activist Erdoğan Kayra Kocagil and 25 others, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, filed over their participation in protests at Bogazici University in Istanbul. The court had ordered the forced appearance of some defendants.
14:45 – A hearing will be held at the Ankara 42nd Criminal Court of First Instance in the case against 24 students from Middle East Technical University (ODTU), including Ahmet Emirhan Kara, Beyza Nur Mutaf and Zeynep Eda Kazdağlı, filed over their participation in protests.
