This week several journalists, including Uğur Yılmaz defended by Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), will appear before judges. Below is a list of this week’s journalism and free speech trials:
December 11, Tuesday
- Hearing of journalist Ece Sevim Öztürk will be held at İstanbul 37. High Criminal Court. Öztürk is charged with ‘aiding and abetting a terrorist organization willingly’ and ‘terrorist propaganda’, due to a documentary she made, titled "Darkest day of the navy: July 15".
- Second hearing of jailed journalist Uğur Yılmaz, defended by MLSA Legal Unit’s Zelal Pelin Doğan, will be held at Bitlis 2. High Criminal Court. Yılmaz is charged with ‘membership in a terrorist organization’ and ‘terrorist propaganda’.
December 12, Wednesday
- Hearing of journalist and academic Nuray Mert, will be held at İstanbul 37. High Criminal Court at 3:45 PM. Mert is charged with "terrorist propaganda" due to his participation in the peace petition titled "We will not be a party to this crime" criticizing the state’s military involvement in the predominantly Kurdish populated cities. The petition was launched by Academics for Peace Initiative.
December 13, Thursday
- Hearings of academics Ceren Sözeri and Şebnem Korur-Financı, will be held at İstanbul 37. High Criminal Court at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Sözeri and Korur-Fincancı are charged with "terrorist propaganda" due to their participation in the peace petition titled "We will not be a party to this crime" criticizing the state’s military involvement in the predominantly Kurdish populated cities. The petition was launched by Academics for Peace Initiative.
