This week, trials related to journalism and freedom of expression charges will continue. Throughout the week, MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit will share updates from the hearings in Turkish and English via @MLSADavaTakip.
February 17, Monday
11:13 – The second hearing of the case against journalist Şehriban Aslan and two individuals alleged to be her news sources, charged with “violating the privacy of private life” due to a news report published on Jinnews about the misuse of official vehicles at the Diyarbakır Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, will be held at Diyarbakır 16th Criminal Court of First Instance.
February 18, Tuesday
09:55 – Journalist Beritan Canözer, sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for “making propaganda for a terrorist organization,” will be retried due to the annulment of the deferred announcement of the verdict following another case filed against her.
10:23 – The trial of journalist Baransel Ağca, charged with “publicly insulting religious values adopted by a section of the public” due to his social media posts, will be held at Istanbul 43rd Criminal Court of First Instance.
14:30 - The first hearing of the case against 10 individuals who were detained while attempting to make a press statement during the Eskişehir Pride March, charged with “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations (Law No. 2911),” will be held at Eskişehir 16th Criminal Court of First Instance.
February 19, Wednesday
10:00 – The sixth hearing of the retrial of detained journalist Pınar Gayıp and two others, charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization,” will be held at Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
10:30 – The twentieth hearing of the case against 69 individuals, who were detained while attempting to hold a commemoration for the first anniversary of the October 10 Ankara Train Station Massacre, charged with “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations (Law No. 2911),” will be held at Ankara 13th Criminal Court of First Instance.
11:35 - Writer Sezai Sarıoğlu is facing trial again in a "terror propaganda" case over his social media posts where he was acquitted of four years ago. The hearing is set for February 19 at 11:35 AM in the 35th High Criminal Court in Çağlayan.
February 20, Thursday
09:35 – The third hearing of the trial against Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, former President of the Turkish Medical Association Central Council and board member of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, charged with “insulting the Turkish Nation, the State of the Republic of Turkey, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the Government of the Republic of Turkey, and the judicial organs of the state,” will be held at Istanbul 69th Criminal Court of First Instance.
February 21, Friday
11:55 – The second hearing of the trial against journalist Furkan Karabay, charged with “insulting the President,” “insult,” and “slander” following complaints by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, his son Bilal Erdoğan, his other son Ahmet Burak Erdoğan, and his daughter Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, will be held at Istanbul 56th Criminal Court of First Instance.
13:30 – The third hearing of the trial against former AKUT President Nasuh Mahruki, charged with “publicly disseminating misleading information” due to his social media posts criticizing Supreme Election Council (YSK) President Ahmet Yener’s statement on electronic voting, will be held at Istanbul 15th Criminal Court of First Instance.
10:00 – The trial of seven Boğaziçi University students charged due to an artwork featuring a “Kaaba image with an LGBTQ+ flag and a Shahmaran figure” displayed at an on-campus exhibition during protests against the appointed rector, will be held at Istanbul 21st Criminal Court of First Instance.
