This week, hearings for cases concerning journalism and freedom of expression, filed on various charges, are scheduled to take place.
The trial of Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalist Bülent Kılıç will proceed this week. Kılıç was detained by police officers who restrained him on the ground and applied pressure to his throat while he was covering the 19th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March in 2021. He faces charges of "resisting to prevent the execution of his duty" and "publicly insulting a public officer for his duty".
Additionally, the trial of lawyer Süleyman Şahin is set to commence this week in Diyarbakır. This trial stems from the testimony of Ümit Akbıyık, whose testimony led to the detention of over 600 individuals in Diyarbakır, including journalists, politicians, lawyers, and artists.
Updates on these hearings will be shared by the MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit on @MLSADavaTakip in Turkish and English.
12 February, Monday
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09.30 - Following the overturning of the prison sentences and acquittals of former employees of the Özgürlükçü Demokrasi Newspaper, which was shut down by Decree Law (KHK), İhsan Yaşar, İshak Yasul, Mehmet Ali Çelebi, Mizgin Fendik, Pınar Tarlak, Reyhan Hacıoğlu, and Hicran Urun are facing trial again. The tenth hearing of their case, involved charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization", "printing or publishing publications of terrorist organizations", "inciting the public to hatred and hostility", "making terrorist organization propaganda", and "praising crime and criminal", will take place at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
13 February, Tuesday
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09.30 - The eighth hearing of the case in which three police officers are charged with 'torture' in connection with the strip search of Mücella Yapıcı, Secretary of the Chamber of Architects Istanbul Metropolitan Branch EIA Advisory Board, and her daughter Cansu Yapıcı during the Gezi protests will be held at Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court.
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09.45 - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the shut-down Zaman newspaper Mehmet Kamış, who was arrested in Çeşme in November last year in an operation organized by the Izmir police, will appear before a judge at Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court within the scope of the case against him.
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11.00 - The third hearing of the case in which 11 former HDP MYK members are on trial for "denigrating the Turkish nation, the state of the Republic of Turkey, the institutions and organs of the state" due to their statement on the Armenian Genocide will be held at Ankara 48th Criminal Court of First Instance.
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11.00 – The trial of journalist Hayri Demir, represented by MLSA in his defense, will commence at the Istanbul 8th Civil Court of First Instance. This trial stems from a lawsuit for non-pecuniary damages filed by Maltepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Edibe Sözen due to Demir's article titled "Head of AKP's 'propaganda group' turns out to be a university rector". Dr. Edibe Sözen, who previously served as AK Party Deputy Chairman responsible for Media and Promotion and as an AK Party member of parliament, is seeking 20,000 TL in damages from Hayri Demir and the newspaper Gazete Pencere, where the article was published.
14 February, Wednesday
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09.10 - The trial of four members of the Left Party who were charged with "insulting the president" due to a leaflet they distributed before the 2023 general elections will start at Bolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
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09.28 – The 13th hearing of the trial involving journalist Ramazan Ölçen, the proprietor of the Azadiya Welat newspaper, which was closed down by Decree-Law (KHK), on charges of "membership in an illegal organization", is scheduled to take place at the Diyarbakır 11th High Criminal Court.
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09.45 - The case, in which 8 people who were detained during the 2022 Eskişehir Pride March are charged with "violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations", will be held at Eskişehir 4th Criminal Court of First Instance.
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10.00 - The trial of journalists Ahmet Altan, Nazlı Ilıcak, Fevzi Yazıcı, and Yakup Şimşek, accused of "membership in a terrorist organization" for purportedly "anticipating the July 15 coup attempt", will recommence following the Court of Cassation's overturning verdict.
15 February, Thursday
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09.55 – Cases are ongoing against over 600 individuals, comprising journalists, mayors, politicians, artists, and lawyers, stemming from the testimony of Ümit Akbıyık, whose statements resulted in the detention or prosecution of said individuals. Lawyer Süleyman Şahin is among those facing legal action, with the first hearing of his case for "membership in an illegal organization" scheduled at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court.
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10.25 - The retrial of the case concerning three police officers who tried to apprehend journalist Beyza Kural while she was covering the November 6 protests at Istanbul University will proceed at the Istanbul 35th Criminal Court of First Instance following the reversal of the initial verdict on appeal.
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10.35 – The second session of the trial against Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalist Bülent Kılıç, represented by MLSA, on charges of "resisting to prevent the execution of his duty" and "publicly insulting a public officer for his duty", will be held at the Istanbul 19th Criminal Court of First Instance. Kılıç was detained on June 26, 2021, while covering the 19th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March in Istanbul, during which police officers forced him to the ground and pressed on his throat before arresting him.
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14.00 - The fourth hearing of the case in which journalists Nagihan Yılkın and Mustafa Büyüksipahi are on trial for "insulting a public official" following a complaint filed by then Gaziantep Governor Davut Gül, will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
16 Şubat, Cuma
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10.25 - The second hearing of the case in which journalist Metin Cihan, who announced the documents of TÜGVA on social media, is on trial with the allegation of "unlawful acquisition or dissemination of personal data" and which was separated for Cihan will be held at Istanbul 22nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
