This week, there will be hearings related to journalism and freedom of expression cases. One of the noteworthy cases is the case filed against journalist Sedat Yılmaz on charges of "membership in an illegal organization". Sedat Yılmaz has been in custody at Sincan Prison for over eight months, and the first hearing of his case will take place on December 12 in Diyarbakır. The MLSA Legal Unit and MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit also monitor the trial.
Here is the hearing schedule for the week:
December 11, Monday
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09:30 - A case has been filed against 23 individuals who were detained during the "We can't make ends meet" protest, organized by Ankara Labour and Democracy Forces in 2021. The protest was held to express opposition against the rising cost of living. Additionally, JinNews reporter Öznur Değer, who was covering the protest, has also been charged. They have been charged with violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and resisting to prevent the execution of duty. The trial is scheduled to take place at Ankara 18th Criminal Court of First Instance.
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12.00 - The trial against Ayşegül Doğan, who is accused of being a member of an illegal organization due to her journalistic activities, is scheduled to take place at the Diyarbakır 9th Assize Court. During the previous hearing, the court denied the request for a suspension of the proceedings against Doğan. She was later elected as an MP on May 14 and obtained legislative immunity.
December 12, Tuesday
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09.20 - Journalist Sonya Bayık is being tried for attending a press statement in Hasankeyf, which is considered a violation of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. The trial will be held at the Batman 1st Criminal Court of First Instance.
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09.20 - Journalist Fırat Bulut will stand trial at Elbistan 2 Criminal Court of First Instance for allegedly violating the "disinformation law" due to social media posts about the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6.
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10.15 - The trial against journalist Metin Cihan, filed due to "insulting a public official through an audio, written or video message due to his duty" following a complaint by Berat Albayrak, the son-in-law of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place at Istanbul's 36th Criminal Court of First Instance.
December 13, Wednesday
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09.35 - The hearing of the 150 thousand TL non-pecuniary damages lawsuit filed by Antalya Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Yakup Ali Kahveci against journalist Furkan Karabay for two news articles published on Gerçek Gündem website and his social media posts will be held at the 12th Civil Court of First Instance.
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09.55 - The trial of former German MP Mehmet Kılıç, represented by MLSA, for "insulting the president" will be held at Ankara 36th Criminal Court of First Instance.
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10.45 - Seven students were detained during a protest with tents organized by the Homeless in Ankara in 2021 to raise awareness about the housing problem. The students have been charged with "opposing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911" and "resisting to prevent the execution of duty." The case will be held at Ankara's 37th Criminal Court of First Instance.
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11.15 - The trial filed against journalist Ahmet Kanbal due to his social media post about the ballot box in Mardin, which was not heard from for a while, within the scope of "disinformation law," will be held at Mardin 1st Criminal Court of First Instance.
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14:00 - The case filed against journalist Sibel Hürtaş due to "resisting to prevent the execution of her duty" after she was beaten and detained by the police while following the protest of Multiple Bar Association System in front of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in 2020, will be held at Ankara 37th Criminal Court of First Instance.
December 14, Thursday
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09.00 - The first hearing of the case filed against journalist Sedat Yılmaz, held in Sincan F Type Prison No 2 for eight months, will be held at Diyarbakır 4th Assize Court. MLSA will defend Sedat Yılmaz.
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10.00 - The case filed against Furkan Karabay for his news article titled "'Istanbul' detail in the 'Antalya' operation in the judiciary: What are the appointed prosecutors indicative of?" will be heard at Istanbul 33rd Civil Court of First Instance.
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10:10 - The trial filed against Etkin News Agency (ETHA) editor Pınar Gayıp due to "being an illegal organization member" will be held at Eskişehir 2nd Assize Court.
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10.40 - The compensation lawsuit filed by Berat Albayrak against journalist Hazal Ocak will be held at Istanbul 33rd Civil Court of First Instance.
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10.15 - The lawsuit filed by Constitutional Court (AYM) member İrfan Fidan against journalist Furkan Karabay for 100 thousand Turkish Liras for non-pecuniary damages based on the news published on Gerçek Gündem website and social media posts related to the news will be heard at Istanbul 3rd Civil Court of First Instance.
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13.40 - The case filed against Bakur documentary directors Çayan Demirel and Ertuğrul Mavioğlu due to "making illegal organization propaganda" will be held at Batman 2nd Assize Court.
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15.00 - The case filed against Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani's two armed bodyguards, one of whom is a police officer, for the attack against journalist Sinan Aygül will be held at Tatvan 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
December 15, Friday
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09:20 - Ankara, 71st Criminal Court of First Instance, will hear the case against 13 students who participated in the protest at METU to protest the detention of Boğaziçi University students and were detained due to "violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations".
