Journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, politicians and civil society representatives appeared in court this week in cities across Turkey, with cases highlighting ongoing pressures on freedom of expression. A total of 28 journalists faced trial, alongside 15 lawyers, dozens of protesters, and executives from Turkey’s top business group TÜSİAD. Meanwhile, censorship of opposition media and arrests linked to lifestyle choices and artistic expression also continued.
Journalists under pressure
In a case against BirGün newspaper executives İbrahim Aydın, Uğur Koç and Yaşar Gökdemir, prosecutors demanded separate sentences for each on charges of “targeting individuals involved in counterterrorism efforts.” The case was adjourned to Feb. 23, 2026.
The trial of 20 journalists and media workers, 15 of whom were detained in 2022 in Diyarbakır in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast, continued this week. The journalists, who were released after 13 months in custody, remain under international travel bans. The case of journalist Mehmet Şahin was merged with the ongoing trial. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026.
In the case involving former executives of the now-defunct Zaman newspaper, the court acquitted Ali Çolak of all charges, while a separate case was opened for Mehmet Kamış, whose pretrial detention was extended.
Merdan Yanardağ, editor-in-chief of TELE1, was acquitted of “insulting the state” charges. However, a new investigation was launched against the channel over alleged insults to the president.
The retrial of Xwebûn newspaper columnist Mehmet Şahin on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” was postponed again, pending the prosecution’s final opinion. His request to lift his travel ban was denied. The next hearing is set for Nov. 13.
In the case of Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), the court decided to wait for a response to a letter rogatory issued for his defense statement. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026.
Human rights defenders and lawyers in court
In the case of human rights defender Nurcan Kaya, also represented by MLSA, the court lifted her obligation to sign in regularly with authorities but maintained her travel ban. Kaya denied the charges, stating that her donations were made to a legally registered association.
Lawyer Nazan Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı was acquitted in a case concerning her professional activities.
In the eastern city of Van, a court ruled to suspend proceedings against 14 lawyers detained during a protest over the denial of the mayoral mandate to Abdullah Zeydan. The court said it would seek permission from the Ministry of Justice to proceed.
In Batman, a city in southeastern Turkey, journalist Sonya Bayık and 31 others appeared in court this week over their participation in a demonstration to protect Hasankeyf’s cultural heritage. They are charged with violating Law No. 2911 on public demonstrations. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2025.
Legal proceedings targeting opposition politicians
A case was launched against 26 individuals, including Istanbul provincial head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Özgür Çelik and CHP Youth Branch head Erdem Kara, over a scuffle outside Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse on Jan. 31, the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was summoned to testify. The group faces charges of “resisting to prevent a public official from performing their duty” and “holding an illegal assembly.” During the hearing, Çelik rejected the accusations, saying, “This is a clear violation of our constitutional rights.” CHP Chair Özgür Özel and several politicians and lawyers observed the trial.
Former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş also appeared before Diyarbakır’s 18th Criminal Court of First Instance on Sept. 24. He is charged with five separate offenses based on seven public speeches, facing up to 15 years in prison. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2026.
New case filed against Demirtaş
Another case was opened against Demirtaş over a speech he gave in Batman, this time under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes “insulting the Turkish nation.” The case marks the 12th separate trial against the former HDP leader. In a separate ongoing case, the court decided to await the verdicts of an appellate court.
TÜSİAD executives also on trial
A case against Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) President Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council President Ömer Aras was postponed to Jan. 20, 2026. They are accused of “attempting to influence the judiciary” and “spreading misleading information.”
'Umut' case continues
The long-running case known as the “Umut Case,” involving the unsolved assassinations of prominent intellectuals including journalist Uğur Mumcu, jurist Muammer Aksoy, politician Bahriye Üçok, and academic Ahmet Taner Kışlalı, continued this week at Ankara’s 5th High Criminal Court. The 13th hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026.
Crackdowns on lifestyle and artistic expression
Three individuals detained in connection with an investigation into LeMan, a satirical magazine, were released under judicial control.
Boğaç Soydemir and Enes Akgündüz, hosts of the show “Soğuk Savaş” (“Cold War”), are facing charges of “publicly inciting hatred and hostility,” with prosecutors seeking up to 4.5 years in prison.
In İzmir, a coastal city in western Turkey, a woman identified as H.K. was arrested over a viral video filmed in a nightclub and shared on social media. Another person, A.S., was released under judicial control.
Censorship and access bans
Several new content bans were issued against opposition media this week. The 5th Criminal Judgeship of Peace in Istanbul blocked access to a March 19 Bianet news report about the alleged detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, as well as to another story about a related detention list. The same court also banned access to reports mentioning Muhittin Palazoğlu, the brother of a son-in-law of religious figure Cübbeli Ahmet, citing “national security and public order.”
Opposition outlet Yeni Yaşam’s X (formerly Twitter) account was blocked for the fourth time, and the leftist news agency ETHA’s X account was blocked for the 15th time.
KAOS GL ban brought before Constitutional Court
The MLSA Legal Unit filed an application with Turkey’s Constitutional Court challenging an access ban against LGBTQ+ rights organization KAOS GL, arguing the ban was politically motivated.
