With the start of the judicial recess last week, trials related to freedom of expression also began. Three hearings involving journalists and others on trial in freedom of expression cases will be held this week. The hearings will take place on Sept. 8 and 11 at courts in Ankara, Turkey’s capital; Diyarbakır, a major city in southeastern Turkey; and Istanbul.
Tuesday, Sept. 8
9:10 a.m. – A hearing in the case against journalist Mehmet Şahin on charges of “membership in an organization” will be held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. News content and reporting notes are among the evidence in the case. The hearing will be held for the defense statement.
9:10 a.m. – The first hearing in the case against Mehmet Murat Yıldırım on charges of “insulting the president” will be held at the Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance.
Friday, Sept. 11
9:45 a.m. – A hearing in the case against journalist Timur Soykan, filed over his social media posts concerning operations targeting municipalities run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), will be held at the Istanbul 32nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Soykan is on trial on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” (Turkish Penal Code Article 217/A) and “publicly inciting the commission of a crime” (Article 214).
