This week, courts across Turkey will hear a wide array of cases targeting journalists, politicians and activists. Among the week’s most high-profile cases are two separate trials against Cumhuriyet columnist Barış Terkoğlu, the retrial of journalist Murat Aksoy following a Constitutional Court ruling, a case involving senior figures from the pro-Kurdish HDP, and proceedings against individuals detained after a protest in the historic southeastern town of Hasankeyf.
Other hearings include the trial of Danish journalist Mads Anneberg—represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)—as well as cases involving Erdoğan Alayumat and İlker Deniz Yücel.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
10:00 – Former Taraf staff face seventh hearing in national security case
The seventh hearing of the long-running case against former Taraf newspaper executives Ahmet Altan, Yasemin Çongar, Yıldıray Oğur, and reporter Mehmet Baransu will continue at the İstanbul Anadolu 2nd High Criminal Court. The defendants face charges of “misusing documents related to state security,” “fraudulently obtaining documents,” and “acquiring and disclosing confidential documents.”
10:00 – Journalist Sonya Bayık and 30 others on trial over Hasankeyf protest
The 17th hearing of the trial against journalist Sonya Bayık and 30 others will take place at the Batman 9th Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with “violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” for participating in a press statement in Hasankeyf, a town in southeastern Turkey that has become a symbol of environmental resistance.
10:30 – Danish journalist Mads Anneberg on trial for ‘entering military zone’
Danish journalist Mads Anneberg, represented by MLSA, will appear before the Edirne 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, facing charges of “entering a military prohibited zone.”
10:40 – Retrial of Murat Aksoy resumes after Constitutional Court ruling
The second hearing in the retrial of journalist Murat Aksoy will take place at the İstanbul 25th High Criminal Court. Aksoy is being retried on charges of “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization” after the Constitutional Court ruled that his rights were violated in the initial trial.
11:10 – Artist Pınar Aydınlar to present defense against terror charges
The third hearing in the trial of artist Pınar Aydınlar, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda,” will be held at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court. Defense statements responding to the prosecution’s final opinion are expected.
11:15 – Journalists and media workers on trial over royalty payments
The first hearing in the case against journalist Erdoğan Alayumat, Tuğçe Yılmaz, Suzan Demir, Gülcan Dereli, Kemal Taylan Abatan, translator Serap Güneş and researcher Berfin Atlı will be held at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court. The defendants are charged with “aiding a terrorist organization” based on royalties they received for their journalistic work.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
11:10 – Organizers of 2021 Newroz celebration on trial in Diyarbakır
The 10th hearing in the case against Newroz organizing committee members İrfan Söner, Hanife Kardaş, Mehmet Bakır, Rıza Barut, Zelal Bilgin, Yusuf Acar, and Serhan Özdemir will be held at the Diyarbakır 19th Criminal Court of First Instance. They are accused of “organizing and participating in an unauthorized meeting or demonstration” under Law No. 2911.
Thursday, Dec. 11
09:15 – Senior HDP figures face 15th hearing in Silvan trial
The 15th hearing in a case targeting former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ and ex-MPs İdris Baluken, Çağlar Demirel, 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 are accused of “resisting a public officer,” “insulting a public official,” and “insulting the president.”
10:30 – Furkan Karabay faces defamation suit by Bilal Erdoğan
Journalist Furkan Karabay will appear at the İstanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance for the fourth hearing in a civil defamation suit filed by Bilal Erdoğan, the son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The suit seeks TL 250,000 (approx. $8,500) in non-pecuniary damages over Karabay’s social media posts.
10:40 – Barış Terkoğlu tried for column on Ekrem İmamoğlu
Journalist Barış Terkoğlu will attend the sixth hearing of a case at the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, where he faces charges of “defamation” over opinion columns about İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
11:10 – Terkoğlu faces second case over insult to former prosecutor
In a separate case, also at the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, Terkoğlu will attend the ninth hearing of a trial in which he is accused of “insulting a public official” following a complaint by former İstanbul Regional Court of Justice Chief Prosecutor Hadi Salihoğlu.
14:30 – 26 on trial for attending Amasra mine disaster commemoration
The 11th hearing in the case against 26 people who attended a commemoration event for the Amasra mining disasterwill take place at the Ankara 65th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Friday, Dec. 12
10:00 – Journalist İlker Deniz Yücel on trial over opinion piece
The trial of journalist İlker Deniz Yücel, represented by MLSA, will continue at the İstanbul 17th Criminal Court of First Instance. Yücel is charged with “insulting a public official” over a piece titled “Erdoğan’s guard dog” and “three-hour resignation.”
11:50 – Economist Mustafa Sönmez faces lawsuit over inflation criticism
The first hearing in a civil lawsuit filed by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) against economist Mustafa Sönmezwill take place at the Ankara 21st Civil Court of First Instance. TÜİK claims that Sönmez’s public criticism of its inflation data has damaged the institution’s reputation.
