This week will also see hearings in cases related to journalism and freedom of expression. Here is the week's trial schedule:
October 9, Monday
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The Istanbul 18th Civil Court of First Instance will hear the case regarding the closure of the Tarlabaşı Community Center (TTM). The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has issued an indictment against TTM, targeted by the media for its event titled "How to Protect LGBTI+ Students Against the Family and School Grapple?" The prosecution seeks to dissolve the association, accusing it of violating laws and morality.
October 10, Tuesday
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The Selçuk Criminal Court of First Instance will hear the case against journalist Evrim Kepenek, following a complaint from Refik Y. This comes after Refik Y. was arrested for alleged child abuse and later released on judicial control conditions. The trial will begin at 09:05 am. The complaint against Kepenek's news article is related to the charge of "insult", as outlined in the indictment.
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The first hearing for Ahmet Güneş, a writer for Yeni Yaşam newspaper, accused of "terrorist propaganda" on social media, will take place at the Istanbul 25th Assize Court at 10:15 am.
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The first hearing for the case against journalist İsmail Saymaz is scheduled for 09:30 at the Istanbul 24th Assize Court. The case is due to his published column titled "The wife of the AKP judge in the Gezi Trial was a FETÖ confessor" on the Halk TV website. According to the indictment, the judge mentioned in the column is named as the "complainant". Saymaz is charged with the crime of "targeting a public official who has taken part in the fight against terrorism" as regulated in Article 6/1 of the Anti-Terror Law (TMK).
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The case filed against artist İlyas Salman due to "insulting the President" upon the complaint of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be heard at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance at 13.30. Salman is on trial for his statement, "I do not consider Erdoğan worthy of that seat," in a news article published in BirGün newspaper on August 1, 2022.
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The trial of three police officers who tried to arrest journalist Beyza Kural, represented by the MLSA, while handcuffing her behind her back during a protest against the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) at Istanbul University on November 6, 2015, will take place at the Istanbul 35th Criminal Court of First Instance at 9:35.
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The trial of journalist-writer Ercan Aktaş, who is being represented by MLSA, is scheduled to take place at the Küçükçekmece 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance at 10:15 am. He is facing charges under Article 301/4 of the Turkish Penal Code for allegedly publicly insulting the Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and the country's military and security organization through his Facebook posts.
October 11, Wednesday
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Eleven former members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Central Executive Committee (MYK) are facing trial for allegedly denigrating the Turkish nation, state institutions, and organs in their statement regarding the "Armenian Genocide." The trial will take place at the 48th Criminal Court of First Instance in Ankara.
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Fifty-two students are facing charges for violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and depriving a person of their liberty. They participated in protests demanding an independent university after the appointment of Prof. Dr. Melih Bulu as rector of Boğaziçi University by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The case will be heard at Istanbul's 49th Criminal Court of First Instance at 1:30 pm.
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Ninety-nine people, including journalist Zilan Azad, are facing trial for allegedly violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. Azad was reportedly beaten and detained while covering the World Peace Day event in Kadıköy last year. Her defense is being represented by MLSA. The trial is scheduled to take place at 11:00 am at the Istanbul Anatolian 17th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Thursday, October 12
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The trial of Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu and writer Ahmet Nesin, who served as editor-in-chief for one day in 2016 in solidarity with Özgür Gündem newspaper, will be held at Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court at 09.40. Fincancı, Önderoğlu and Nesin, who were on trial for "making illegal organization propaganda", were retried after the Court of Appeal overturned the acquittal verdict against them.
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On December 12th, 2021, a demonstration organized by the 'We Cannot Shelter Movement' took place in Kızılay, Ankara. 25 individuals are being charged with violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911 for participating in this event. The trial for this case will take place at the Ankara 64th Criminal Court of First Instance at 9:30 AM.
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The trial of journalist Hayko Bağdat, who is being represented by MLSA, in response to a complaint filed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place at the Istanbul 51st Criminal Court of First Instance at 10:15 am. Bağdat is being charged with "insulting the President" for his statement, "we are facing a ruler who applies enemy law to his own citizens," which was broadcasted on September 1, 2015.
