This week, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) monitored six court hearings involving journalists including Furkan Karabay, Elif Akgül and Tuğçe Yılmaz. In total, three journalists and 163 individuals appeared before judges. Meanwhile, the Turkish Parliament began approving parts of a controversial new judicial reform, while media workers faced firings, censorship and police scrutiny.
Furkan Karabay sentenced to 4 years 3 months, released after pretrial detention
Journalist Furkan Karabay appeared for the first time before the İstanbul 25th High Criminal Court over his reporting on investigations into the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality and so-called “urban consensus” cases. The court proceeded without reading the indictment and limited access to the small, airless courtroom by erecting barriers, keeping many journalists and observers outside. Karabay was convicted of “insulting the president,” “insulting a public official,” and “targeting officials involved in counterterrorism,” receiving a total sentence of 4 years and 3 months. The court ordered his release, citing 201 days already spent in pretrial detention. The prosecution has appealed the decision.
Elif Akgül faces prison over ‘membership in armed organization’
In the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) case, journalist Elif Akgül is being prosecuted for alleged “membership in an armed organization.” Although the court had previously instructed the prosecutor to prepare a final opinion two months earlier, the opinion was uploaded to the national court system (UYAP) only hours before the hearing on Sept. 30, preventing Akgül and her lawyers from preparing a defense. No verdict was issued, but the court upheld her judicial control measures, including a travel ban, which remains in effect. The case has drawn criticism as Akgül’s journalistic activities and professional contacts form the basis of the accusations, once again raising alarms over press freedom in Turkey.
Courtroom closed to observers in trial over Women’s Day protest
The only individual prosecuted from the 112 detained during the March 8 Feminist Night March, İris Mozalar, appeared before the İstanbul 7th Criminal Court of First Instance for the first time. Due to the courtroom's small size, only two observers were allowed inside, while journalists and monitors were ejected. The court postponed the hearing to June 9, 2026, and requested police video footage to determine whether Mozalar resisted law enforcement during the protest.
Tuğçe Yılmaz on trial for reporting on Armenian youth
Journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz stood trial at the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, facing charges under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes “insulting the Turkish nation.” The case stems from a news report that shared the experiences of two Armenian youths. Observers from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and P24 were denied entry into the courtroom, and standing spectators were removed. In her defense statement, Yılmaz referenced the slain journalist Hrant Dink, saying the article aimed to foster collective memory and confrontation with the past. She requested acquittal. The court adjourned the case to April 21, 2026, for the prosecution to submit its final opinion.
Expert report still missing in Saraçhane protest trial
In the third hearing of the Saraçhane protest case, where 139 people are on trial for participating in demonstrations against calls to arrest İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the court noted that a previously requested expert report had still not been submitted. The hearing was postponed again to allow time for the report to be filed.
Students report strip searches and armed police in court
At the first hearing of a case involving 23 university students charged over participating in the March 19 demonstrations in Ankara, some defendants testified that they had been subjected to strip searches during detention. Several students also refused to make defense statements in the courtroom, citing the intimidating presence of armed police officers.
Other developments in freedom of expression
Istanbul Bar Association sues Justice Ministry over courtroom restrictions
The Istanbul Bar Association filed two administrative lawsuits against the Ministry of Justice, arguing that security measures and entrance protocols at the İstanbul and Anadolu courthouses violate lawyers’ right to defend their clients. The association emphasized that limiting the number of individuals allowed in courtrooms and excessive security checks damage the transparency of trials and the right to a fair defense.
Controversial 11th Judicial Package partially approved
The Turkish Parliament’s Justice Commission approved the first 15 articles of the 11th Judicial Package, prompting warnings from the MLSA Legal Unit. The group said the reforms pose serious risks to freedom of expression, personal rights, criminal justice, and access to the courts. Of particular concern are new measures related to evidence collection and prison sentence enforcement, which critics say could lead to arbitrary enforcement.
Mass firings at Sözcü TV amid editorial tension
Sözcü TV terminated the employment of 15 staff members, including editors, reporters, presenters, and camera operators. The dismissals have been linked to tensions involving high-profile commentator Yılmaz Özdil, sparking renewed debate over precarious employment conditions and editorial pressure in Turkey’s media sector.
YouTube journalist detained over poem in street interview
Hasan Köksoy, who produces street interviews for the YouTube channel Kendine Muhabir, was detained over a poem recited during one of his interviews, accused of “insulting the president.” Köksoy was banned from traveling abroad, and the individual who read the poem is also reportedly under investigation.
Censorship and takedown orders continue on social media
Access to Mezopotamya Agency editor Diren Yurtsever’s X (formerly Twitter) account was blocked, while correspondent Ömer İbrahimoğlu’s account was shut down following complaints. Additionally, several news reports about Korkmaz Karaca were censored by order of the İstanbul 9th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, citing “national security and public order,” fueling further concerns over digital censorship in Turkey.
