This week, trials filed within the scope of freedom of expression, journalistic activities, and the right to protest will continue to be heard in different cities. In the cases where journalists, politicians, lawyers, and activists are being tried, accusations such as “membership in an organization,” “violation of the law on meetings and demonstration marches,” and “insulting the president” stand out.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
09:15 – The eighth hearing of the case filed against former HDP Co-Chair politician Selahattin Demirtaş on the charge of “insulting state institutions” will be seen at the Batman 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance.
09:30 – Following the violation ruling issued by the Constitutional Court (AYM), the retrial in the case filed against Neşe İdil on the charge of “organization propaganda” will continue at the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court. The AYM ruled that Neşe İdil’s right to a fair trial, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, was violated and sent the file back to the court of first instance, the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court, for retrial.
10:30 – The sixth hearing of the case filed against journalists Mehmet Aslan, Esra Solin Dal, and Erdoğan Alayumat, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, on the allegation of “membership in an organization” will be seen at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. In the file, which was postponed for the prosecution to prepare its opinion on the merits, statements of secret witnesses and journalistic activities are presented as evidence.
10:50 – The 17th hearing of the case filed against journalist Rüstem Batum, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, on charges of “insulting the president” and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” on the grounds of his social media posts will be seen at the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance. In the file, the execution of an arrest warrant is awaited.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
09:00 – The continuation hearing of the case in which 168 people are being tried within the scope of the November 25, 2024 protests will be seen at the Istanbul 29th Criminal Court of First Instance. Among the defendants are many activists, and they face charges of “resisting to prevent the performance of duty” and “participating in an unlawful meeting and march.” At the first hearing, only 30 people’s defense statements were taken.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
09:20 – The 8th hearing of the case in which 19 journalists and media workers are being tried on the charge of “membership in an organization” within the scope of an investigation centered in Diyarbakır will be seen at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court.
11:25 – The case filed against Altan Sancar on the charge of “spreading misleading information” due to his news and posts about “mutlak mutlak” will be seen at the Ankara 27th Criminal Court of First Instance.
11:30 – The seventh hearing of the non-pecuniary damages case filed against journalist Faruk Arhan, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, by former AKP deputy Zehra Taşkesenoğlu will be seen at the Gölbaşı 3rd Civil Court of First Instance.
Friday, April 10, 2026
09:30 – The hearing of the case in which 49 people are being tried for allegedly attending a rally held in Istanbul’s Saraçhane will be seen at the Istanbul 70th Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with “participating in unlawful meetings and marches.”
10:00 – The hearing of the case filed against lawyer Şiar Rişvanoğlu on the charge of “membership in an organization” will be seen at the Adana 11th High Criminal Court.
