This week, hearings in numerous trials filed within the scope of freedom of expression, press activities and the right to protest will continue. Journalists, students and activists will appear before judges in different cities, while in some files detention and judicial control measures will also be on the agenda.
Monday, May 4
12:20 - The trial filed by Seyme Music and Film Production, represented by MLSA, against the Çayırova Municipality of Kocaeli, governed by the ruling AKP, seeking pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages over the cancellation of the Kurdish play “Don Kîxot,” adapted by Amed City Theatre from Cervantes’ famous work, will be held at the Gebze 3rd Civil Court of Peace.
Tuesday, May 5
09:25 - The trial of Ceren Bala Yenilmez, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, is being reheard following a violation ruling by the Constitutional Court. Within the scope of the proceedings conducted at the Istanbul 9th Criminal Court of First Instance, a writ was sent to the Ankara 24th Criminal Court of First Instance to take Yenilmez’s statement. The file was opened upon the complaint of İhsan Şenocak; the announcement of the verdict was deferred regarding a judicial fine of 3,480 TL imposed on Yenilmez on the charge of “insulting a public official.”
10:00 – The trial against weekly humor magazine employees Zafer Aknar, Aslan Özdemir, Cebrail Okçu, Ali Yavuz, Doğan Pehlevan and Mehmet Tuncay Akgün on the charge of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility through the press” will be held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Cartoon content is included in the file as evidence. Doğan Pehlevan is in pretrial detention.
11:10 – The trial of journalist Hatice Şahin on the charge of “membership in an organization” will be held at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. Statements of anonymous witnesses are included in the file as evidence.
10:30 – The trial of 53 people tried within the scope of the 23rd Istanbul Pride March will be held at the Istanbul 51st Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with “violation of Law No. 2911.”
10:10 – The trial filed against journalist Sedef Kabaş for “insulting the president” due to her social media posts will be held at the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
Wednesday, May 6
11:30 – The trial in the compensation case filed by lawyer Hayriye Kara regarding ill-treatment during her detention process will be held at the Ankara 14th High Criminal Court. It is expected that deficiencies in the file will be remedied.
14:00 - The first trial hearing in the murder case of journalist and ecology activist Hakan Tosun, who was beaten and killed while going to his home in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, will be held at the Bakırköy 17th High Criminal Court. Aggravated life imprisonment is sought for detained suspects Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin on the charge of “intentional killing.”
Thursday, May 7
09:30 – The trial of 23 university students who participated in the March 19 protests in Ankara will be held at the Ankara 33rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with “participating in an unlawful meeting and march.”
11:35 – The trial in the 250,000 TL compensation case filed by Bilal Erdoğan against journalist Furkan Karabay will be held at the Istanbul 45th Civil Court of First Instance.
10:00 – The trial of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, whose defense is undertaken by MLSA, on the charge of “membership in an armed terrorist organization,” will be held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court.
12:05 – The trial of 24 students from Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) who participated in the March 19 protests will be held at the Ankara 42nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with violation of Law No. 2911.
Friday, May 8
10:00 – The trial against journalists Mahsum Sağlam, Pelin Laçin, Yadigar Aygün, Zeynep Kuray—whose defense is undertaken by MLSA—and student Yağmur Filiz will be held at the Istanbul 39th Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are being tried on charges of violation of Law No. 2911 and insult.
