Journalists, writers, lawyers and students are set to appear in courts in Ankara, Istanbul and Diyarbakır during the week of Feb. 23, 2026, on charges related to freedom of expression, press freedom and the right to assembly.
A series of hearings will take place in both lower criminal courts and High Criminal Courts, which handle more serious offenses under Turkey’s penal code and anti-terror legislation.
Monday, Feb. 23
At 10:25 a.m., the second hearing in the case against Council of Europe Youth Delegate Enes Hocaoğulları will be held at the Ankara 86th Criminal Court of First Instance. He is charged with “inciting the public to hatred and hostility.”
At 2:15 p.m., the second hearing in the trial of journalist Yıldız Tar and writer İbrahim Halit Elçi will be held at the Ankara 17th High Criminal Court. The two are charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization” as part of an investigation into the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a civil society platform that has faced scrutiny by Turkish authorities. Their defense is being undertaken by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA).
Tuesday, Feb. 24
At 9:10 a.m., the eighth hearing in the trial of lawyer Necat Çiçek on charges of “organization membership” will take place at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. Diyarbakır is the largest city in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast.
At 9:15 a.m., the 11th hearing in the case against journalist Baransel Ağca will be held at the Elazığ 8th Criminal Court of First Instance. He is accused of “illegally obtaining or disseminating personal data” for sharing on social media an autopsy and toxicology report related to the death of Yeldana Kaharman. Former ruling AKP lawmaker Zülfi Tolga Ağar is listed as the complainant in the file.
At 10:30 a.m., the third hearing in the trial of human rights defender and lawyer Nurcan Kaya will be held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. Kaya, whose defense is also represented by MLSA, faces charges of “organization membership” and “violating the law on the prevention of financing of terrorism” במסגרת the HDK investigation.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
At 10:00 a.m., the third hearing in the trial of 35 people, including Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Engin Deniz İpek, will be held at the Istanbul 64th Criminal Court of First Instance. They are charged with “participating in unlawful meetings and marches without weapons and failing to disperse despite warnings” following a rally in the Saraçhane district of Istanbul, a central area that has recently been the site of political protests.
At 11:45 a.m., the 27th hearing in the trial of journalist and writer Ercan Aktaş will be held at the Bakırköy 2nd High Criminal Court in Istanbul. Aktaş, represented by MLSA, faces charges of “making terrorist propaganda” and “discouraging the public from military service.”
At 1:45 p.m., the second hearing in the trial of 25 students from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara will be held at the Ankara 42nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The students are charged with “violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “resisting to prevent the performance of duty” for allegedly participating in protests following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
Thursday, Feb. 26
At 9:10 a.m., the ninth hearing in the trial of journalist Abdurrahman Gök will be held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. He is charged with “membership in an organization” and “making terrorist propaganda,” based on his professional activities and statements by a former militant, Ümit Akbıyık, who is serving as a state witness.
At 9:30 a.m., journalist Hasan Cemal will appear before the Ankara 24th Criminal Court of First Instance for the first hearing following a reversal by the Court of Cassation in his trial on charges of “insulting the president.” Cemal had previously been sentenced to 11 months and 20 days in prison, with the announcement of the verdict deferred. After the top court overturned the ruling, his statement was taken via judicial instruction by the Istanbul 45th Criminal Court of First Instance during the interim period.
At 10:00 a.m., the third hearing in the trial of Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Züleyha Müldür and two others will be held at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court. They face charges of “organization membership” and “making terrorist propaganda.”
At 12:00 p.m., the third hearing in the trial of journalist Feyza Nur Çalıkoğlu will take place at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. She is charged with “publicly disseminating misleading information” for reporting on allegations of ill-treatment at the Çatalca Removal Center, a migrant detention facility on the outskirts of Istanbul.
At 1:49 p.m., the second hearing in the trial of journalist Zafer Arapkirli will be held at the Istanbul 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance. He faces charges of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” and “publicly disseminating misleading information” over a social media post.
Friday, Feb. 27
At 1:05 p.m., the fourth hearing in the trial of journalist Deniz Yücel will be held at the Istanbul 17th Criminal Court of First Instance. Yücel, whose defense is represented by MLSA and who previously worked as a correspondent for the German newspaper Die Welt, is charged with “insulting a public official” over a column published in the paper. Former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu is listed as the complainant in the case.
