- With Turkey’s summer judicial recess over, freedom of expression cases are gathering pace, with new investigations and prosecutions involving journalists, artists and politicians coming to the fore.
- An indictment against Deniz Göktaş, who has been held for 63 days in a high-security “well-type” prison, along with a series of detention orders and investigations involving journalist İsmail Arı and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, were among the week’s most notable developments.
- Journalists Pınar Gayıp, Nadiye Gürbüz and Elif Bayburt, who were arrested in an operation targeting the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), are set to appear before a judge for the first time after seven months in pretrial detention.
MLSA — The first week of September, following the end of Turkey’s summer judicial recess, saw a flurry of developments involving freedom of expression. New investigations and prosecutions were launched against journalists, artists and politicians, while ongoing cases also brought fresh developments related to pretrial detention and court proceedings.
ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp is set to appear in court on a charge of “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” Gayıp, who has been held in pretrial detention since Feb. 5, faces accusations based in part on her journalistic activities, witness statements, phone and financial records, and participation in an online meeting.
Although the indictment states that “no evidence of any crime or criminal element was found” in Gayıp’s digital materials, prosecutors also included as evidence her ETHA press card, records showing access to the news agency’s account and a photograph of her wearing an Atılım newspaper vest.
Gayıp’s first hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14.
Details of the accusations and evidence in Pınar Gayıp’s indictment
Journalists Nadiye Gürbüz and Elif Bayburt, who were arrested in an operation targeting the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), are set to appear before a judge for the first time nearly seven months after their arrests. Their first hearings will be held in September.
ETHA reporter Müslüm Koyun, who was arrested in the same operation, was released at his second hearing. His trial will continue on Oct. 27.
Details of the case in which three women journalists will appear before a judge after seven months
Comedian Deniz Göktaş was the subject of successive release and detention orders during the week, while an indictment against him was also completed on Sept. 4.
Göktaş faces charges of “publicly inciting the public to hatred and hostility or degrading a section of the public,” “publicly insulting the president” and “praising a crime and a criminal.” Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from two years and eight months to 11 years and two months.
Göktaş was ordered released on Aug. 28 after an appeal against his pretrial detention, but before the release order could be carried out, he was detained again on a charge of “praising a crime and a criminal.”
On Aug. 31, following an objection by the prosecutor’s office, the Istanbul 28th High Criminal Court overturned the release order and ruled that Göktaş should remain in pretrial detention.
Details of the indictment against Göktaş
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said it had launched an investigation into former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on suspicion of “insulting the president.”
The prosecutor’s office said it opened the investigation on its own initiative over remarks Davutoğlu made in a video circulated on social media.
Statement on the investigation launched into Davutoğlu
Ten years have passed since the Academics for Peace signed the petition titled “We will not be a party to this crime!”
In the two years after the petition was published with the academics’ joint signatures, 406 academics were dismissed from their positions under 10 government decrees, known in Turkey by the abbreviation KHK.
Over the past decade, 822 court cases have been filed against the academics, while hundreds have faced investigations and disciplinary or administrative sanctions. Only 18 rulings ordering their reinstatement have become final.
Ten years of the Academics for Peace struggle following the petition
Journalist İsmail Arı has been charged over a news report about relatives of Ebubekir Şahin being appointed to management positions at Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) while Şahin headed the broadcasting regulator.
The investigation, launched following a complaint by Şahin, accused Arı of “disturbing the peace and tranquility of individuals.”
The indictment also cited as evidence a message Arı sent to Şahin asking, “Would you like to exercise your right of reply?” in connection with the news report.
Details of the case against İsmail Arı
A concert by electronic music producer and DJ Anyma, scheduled for Sept. 12 at the Ataköy Marina Arena in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, was banned by order of the provincial governor’s office.
The ban was reported to have come after some groups launched a social media campaign opposing Anyma’s stage show.
