Trials opened against journalists, activists and citizens continue to be heard in different cities this week. Cases filed particularly within the scope of freedom of expression, press activities and the right to protest draw attention. An intense court calendar will take place in many provinces, especially in Istanbul and Ankara.
Tuesday, April 21
At 09:00, the fifth hearing of the case filed against 14 students who are being tried on the grounds that they participated in the METU Pride March in 2022 will be seen at the Ankara 30th Criminal Court of First Instance, on the charge of “violating Law No. 2911.” (METU, or Middle East Technical University, is a prominent public university in Ankara.)
At 09:30, the second hearing of the case filed against 21 people, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu, on charges of “inciting hatred and discrimination and provoking the public to hatred and enmity” will be held at the Istanbul 39th Criminal Court of First Instance.
At 09:45, the fourth hearing of the case filed against business owner Ramazan Şimşek on the charge of “making organization propaganda” will be seen at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court (Diyarbakır is a major city in southeastern Turkey).
At 10:05, the third hearing of the case filed against Güven Çiçek, Güney Özbenli, Eda Kurtuluş, Mustafa Zeki Mergen and Mustafa Ergün, who are being tried for participating in the March 19 protests, will be seen at the Ankara 39th Criminal Court of First Instance.
At 10:50, the 13th hearing of the case filed against journalist Metin Cihan on the charge of “insulting a public official” due to social media posts will be seen at the Istanbul 36th Criminal Court of First Instance.
At 14:15, the second hearing of the case filed against journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz on the charge of “publicly denigrating the Turkish Nation” (Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code), due to a news report published on Bianet, will be held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
Wednesday, April 22
At 08:35, the 11th hearing of the case filed against journalist Mehmet Göcekli on the charge of “making organization propaganda” due to social media posts will be seen at the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court.
At 09:15, the fourth hearing of the case filed against journalist Ramazan Ölçen on the charge of “membership in an organization” will be held at the Diyarbakır 11th High Criminal Court.
At 09:45, the second hearing of the retrial of journalist Neşe İdil—following a violation ruling by the Constitutional Court—on the charge of “organization propaganda,” in which MLSA provides the defense, will be held at the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court.
At 09:45, the hearing of the compensation case filed against journalist Hazal Ocak will be seen at the Istanbul 33rd Civil Court of First Instance.
Friday, April 24
At 09:10, the fifth hearing of the case filed against journalist Mehmet Üçar on the charge of “membership in an organization” will be seen at the Batman 2nd High Criminal Court (Batman is a province in southeastern Turkey).
At 10:00, the first hearing of the case filed against journalist Nedim Oruç will be held at the Şırnak 1st High Criminal Court (Şırnak is a province in southeastern Turkey), on charges of “unauthorized possession or transfer of dangerous materials,” “covering one’s face to conceal identity during meetings and demonstration marches,” “organization propaganda,” “resisting to prevent the performance of duty,” and “damaging public property.”
