Between Nov. 10–14, a total of eight hearings related to freedom of expression were monitored across Turkey. These proceedings took place in Istanbul and Ankara and involved 32 defendants in total, including five journalists, one author, and 26 individuals on trial for participating in a memorial for a mining disaster in Amasra. Additionally, two civil lawsuits filed by journalists were reviewed by courts.
Access blocked to mayor İmamoğlu’s campaign account on “national security” grounds
A court imposed an access ban on the social media account of the Presidential Campaign Office of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, which has hundreds of thousands of followers. The decision, justified on the grounds of “national security,” has sparked renewed concern over digital restrictions during the election period.
Author Yavuz Ekinci’s case dismissed after nearly a decade
The third hearing in the trial of author Yavuz Ekinci, who was charged with “terror propaganda” over his novel Rüyası Bölünenler (Those Whose Dreams Were Broken), concluded with the case being dismissed by the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court. The court cited the expiration of the statute of limitations, ending a nearly ten-year-long legal battle.
Prosecutor seeks sentence for 26 Amasra mining memorial participants
In the 11th hearing of the trial against 26 individuals accused of violating Law No. 2911 for participating in a memorial for the Amasra mine disaster, the prosecutor requested a sentence. The defendants did not attend the hearing, held at the Ankara 65th Criminal Court of First Instance. The next session is scheduled for Dec. 11, 2025.
Journalist Rahime Karvar sentenced to 1 year and 13 months in prison
Journalist Rahime Karvar was sentenced to 1 year and 13 months in prison at the fourth hearing of her trial at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court, where she was charged with “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization.” While her electronic ankle monitor and signature obligations were lifted, the court ruled to keep her travel ban in place.
Journalist Perihan Erkılınç Okay released after 194 days in detention
The first hearing in the trial of journalist Perihan Erkılınç Okay, accused of “membership in a terrorist organization,” was held at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court. The prosecution’s case relied on secret witness testimony and social media posts. Okay, who had been in pretrial detention for 194 days and suffers from serious health issues, was released. The court imposed judicial control measures and postponed the next hearing to Feb. 2, 2026.
Journalist Mehmet Göcekli’s case postponed over arrest warrant status
At the 10th hearing in journalist Mehmet Göcekli’s trial, where he faces “terror propaganda” charges over social media posts, the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court ruled to inquire about the status of the arrest warrant issued against him. Göcekli was neither brought to court nor connected via the courtroom video system (SEGBİS). The trial was postponed to April 22, 2026.
Arrest warrant for journalist Rüstem Batum still pending
The Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled to wait for the execution of an arrest warrant in the 16th hearing of the trial against journalist Rüstem Batum. Batum is charged with “insulting the president” and “inciting hatred and hostility.” As he was not brought to court and did not appear via SEGBİS, the hearing was adjourned to April 7, 2026.
Court delays damages case against Furkan Karabay pending criminal outcome
In the TL 150,000 non-pecuniary damages lawsuit filed against journalist Furkan Karabay by Antalya Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Yakup Ali Kahveci, the Istanbul 12th Civil Court of First Instance ruled to wait for the outcome of the related criminal case. The next hearing was scheduled for July 8, 2026.
Deniz Yücel’s compensation case adjourned
The first hearing in journalist Deniz Yücel’s TL 1.25 million damages lawsuit against the Turkish Treasury for unlawful detention and arrest was held at the Istanbul 17th High Criminal Court. The case was postponed to Feb. 12, 2026.
LeMan cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan released but remains jailed in separate case
In the case against employees of satirical magazine LeMan, the court ruled to release cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan and lifted all judicial control measures against the other defendants. However, Pehlevan remains in prison due to a separate detention order related to “insulting the president.”
Trial of café owner who offered Kurdish-language service postponed
In the case against Ramazan Şimşek, who was prosecuted after announcing that his café in Diyarbakır would offer service in Kurdish, the hearing was postponed after the prosecutor requested additional time to prepare their final opinion.
Journalist Sedef Kabaş’s trial adjourned
In the eighth hearing of journalist Sedef Kabaş’s ongoing trial for “insulting the president,” the Istanbul Anadolu 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance postponed proceedings to address procedural deficiencies.
Journalists face new charges in İBB indictment
In a sweeping new indictment related to an investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), journalists Ruşen Çakır, Yavuz Oğhan, Şaban Sevinç, and Soner Yalçın were accused of “aiding a terrorist organization” and “disseminating misleading information” for their broadcasts.
Other developments this week
Other key press freedom developments from the week include:
-
Journalist Gözde Bedeloğlu of BirGün is under investigation following a complaint by businessman Emrullah Turanlı.
-
Journalists were summoned for questioning and had their statements taken in connection with coverage of the KRT TV staff strike. The investigation was reportedly launched following a complaint by KRT TV owner Fırat Bozfırat.
-
T24 reporter Can Öztürk was forcibly removed from a courtroom in Istanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse by the deputy chair of the far-right Victory Party (Zafer Partisi).
-
It was reported that journalist Furkan Karabay has been imprisoned for 181 days, with the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court rejecting his latest release request.
-
Meanwhile, imprisoned presidential candidate and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s campaign account was hit with a sweeping access ban based on “national security,” a move that reignited concerns over digital censorship ahead of the upcoming elections.
