- Indictments were finalized this week against jailed journalists Murat Ağırel, Mustafa Balcı and Şaban Sevinç, as well as journalist İsmail Saymaz, who is under house arrest.
- Haşim Abak, a reporter for the Mezopotamya Agency, was detained in Nusaybin, a district in southeastern Turkey's Mardin province near the Syrian border.
- Vecih Cuzdan, the managing editor of the independent news outlet bianet, gave a statement as part of an investigation launched on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “disturbing individuals’ peace and tranquility” over the outlet's news report on the arrest of journalist Yelis Ayaz.
- The first hearing was held in the trial of journalist Alican Uludağ, who is being prosecuted for sharing an expert witness report, while prosecutors sought an acquittal on one charge and a conviction on another in the case against journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci.
The week of Nov. 2, 2026, saw a series of legal proceedings, detentions and developments affecting journalists and freedom of expression in Turkey. Prosecutors prepared new indictments in cases involving journalistic activities and news reports, while fresh investigations were launched against journalists on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information." Courts held hearings in cases against journalists throughout the week, while digital rights and social media regulations remained at the center of debates over freedom of expression.
Murat Ağırel and İsmail Saymaz face up to 14 years and 10 months in prison
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment against jailed journalist Murat Ağırel and journalist İsmail Saymaz, who is under house arrest, following a complaint filed by Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.
The journalists face charges of "publicly insulting a public official in connection with their duties," "slander," "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "unlawfully disclosing or obtaining personal data."
The charges stem from comments Ağırel and Saymaz made about Bolat during an Oct. 7 broadcast of Gazeteci Masası (Journalists' Desk) on Sözcü TV, in which they discussed an investigation involving a fund.
Indictment filed against Mustafa Balcı and Şaban Sevinç
Prosecutors have also prepared an indictment against jailed Sözcü editor Mustafa Balcı and journalist Şaban Sevinç.
Balcı faces charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information," "slander" and "insulting a public official." Sevinç is accused of "repeatedly publicly disseminating misleading information," "repeated slander" and "insulting a public administrator."
The charges are based on social media posts concerning Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and Osman Arıkan Nacar, whose name has surfaced in the fund investigation.
Vecih Cuzdan gives statement in investigation
Vecih Cuzdan, managing editor of the independent news outlet bianet, gave a statement as part of an investigation into the outlet's coverage of the arrest of journalist Yelis Ayaz.
The investigation was launched following a complaint by Seda Sarıbaş, an AKP lawmaker representing the western province of Aydın.
Cuzdan faces allegations of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "disturbing individuals' peace and tranquility."
Investigation launched over social media posts about Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a new investigation into social media posts claiming that judicial supervision measures had been requested for former minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya, her husband İlyas Kaya and former Capital Markets Board Chairman İbrahim Ömer Gönül.
Kaya had been summoned for questioning as part of the fund investigation and was subsequently arrested.
Prosecutors reportedly launched the new investigation on suspicion of "publicly disseminating misleading information" under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code.
Mezopotamya Agency reporter Haşim Abak detained
Haşim Abak, a reporter for Mezopotamya Agency (MA), was detained on Nov. 4 in Nusaybin, a district in southeastern Turkey's Mardin province near the Syrian border.
Abak was reportedly stopped and detained by police officers late at night while driving along İpekyolu Road.
Trial of journalist Uludağ over publication of expert report begins
The trial of journalist Alican Uludağ, who faces charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" for sharing an expert witness report on social media, began on Nov. 5 at the Ankara 59th Criminal Court of First Instance.
The report concerned the collapse of a building that killed four people in Gebze, a district of Kocaeli province in northwestern Turkey.
The hearing began late because of the court's heavy caseload. The courtroom was small and poorly ventilated.
Uludağ submitted the expert witness report to the court and said in his defense statement that he had shared the document on social media in the public interest.
The court adjourned the trial until March 25, 2027, to allow prosecutors to prepare their opinion on the merits of the case.
Read the full hearing report.
Prosecutor seeks acquittal on one charge, conviction on another for Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci
The second hearing in the trial of journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci, who face charges over their coverage of the murder of Sinan Ateş following a complaint by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, was held on Nov. 4 at the Ankara 57th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Ateş, a former leader of the ultranationalist Grey Wolves organization, was shot dead in Ankara in December 2022. His killing sparked widespread political controversy in Turkey.
In his opinion on the merits, the prosecutor sought the journalists' acquittal on charges of "slander" but requested their conviction on charges of "insult through an audio, written or visual message."
The hearing began late due to the court's heavy caseload, after which the journalists delivered their defense statements.
The court adjourned the trial until Dec. 1, 2026, granting additional time for the defense.
Read the full hearing report.
Trial of journalists Elfazi Toral and Semanur Korkmaz adjourned
The third hearing in the trial of journalists Elfazi Toral and Semanur Korkmaz, who face charges of violating Turkey's Law on Meetings and Demonstrations, was held on Nov. 3 at the Istanbul 25th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Neither journalist appeared in court. Their defense attorney was also reportedly absent after submitting an excuse for not attending the hearing.
The court adjourned the trial until April 13, 2027.
Social media age verification measures proposed under child protection rules
A proposed social media regulation in Turkey, introduced with the stated aim of protecting children, goes beyond restrictions targeting minors and would also impose new requirements on adults.
The proposal would ban children under 15 from using social media and introduce restrictions for users ages 15 to 18. Adults would also be required to verify their age through e-Devlet, Turkey's government-run online services portal.
As of Nov. 1, mandatory identity verification for social media access had also emerged as part of the proposed measures, raising questions about digital rights and freedom of expression.
Read our full news report on the proposed regulation.
Fair trial rights violations
Two of the three hearings monitored during the week began late due to heavy court caseloads.
The hearing in journalist Alican Uludağ's trial began at least two hours late. Concerns over his right to a fair trial were compounded by his inability to receive legal assistance and the court's failure to appoint a defense attorney under Turkey's Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK).
The hearing in the case against journalists Gözde Şeker and İbrahim Kahveci was also delayed due to the court's heavy caseload.
All three hearings were adjourned.
29 journalists behind bars, one under house arrest
A total of 29 journalists and media workers are currently behind bars in Turkey, while one journalist remains under house arrest.
