This week, high-profile trials of journalists, lawyers, and local politicians are set to take place across Turkey, with particular attention on prosecutions related to news reporting and political activity.
Monday, May 12
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09:50 – Ankara: The 12th hearing of the "Umut trial" at Ankara 5th High Criminal Court, concerning the assassinations of journalists and intellectuals Uğur Mumcu, Ahmet Taner Kışlalı, Muammer Aksoy and Bahriye Üçok, is scheduled. It was reported that summonses sent to former Interior Minister Mehmet Ağar, expected to testify as a witness, could not be delivered as he was "not found at his address."
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10:00 – İzmir: A hearing will be held at the İzmir 13th High Criminal Court in the case against JinNews reporter Melike Aydın, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization.”
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10:20 – İzmir: Journalists Semra Turan and Tolga Güney of Mezopotamya Agency are also set to appear before the İzmir 13th High Criminal Court on similar charges of “terror organization membership.”
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10:40 – İzmir: Journalist Delal Akyüz, represented by MLSA, will attend the second hearing in his case at İzmir 13th High Criminal Court, where he faces charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “aiding the organization.”
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11:00 – Istanbul: Nine individuals on trial for staging a protest during President Erdoğan’s speech at the TRT World Forum calling for a halt to trade and oil shipments with Israel will attend the second hearing at Istanbul 8th Criminal Court of First Instance. They are charged with “participating in an unlawful assembly and failing to disperse despite warnings.”
Tuesday, May 13
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11:00 – Istanbul: The first hearing in the trial of singer and activist Pınar Aydınlar, who was arrested during the HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress) investigation, will be held at Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. She faces charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “propaganda.”
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13:00 – Istanbul: The fourth hearing in the trial of lawyer Betül Kozağaçlı at Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, where she is charged with “terrorist organization membership” due to her professional legal activities. Kozağaçlı had been released at the previous hearing on Feb. 12 after a year in pretrial detention.
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14:30 – Istanbul: In a lawsuit filed by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Mersin MP Levent Uysal and his wife Ece Uysal, BirGün reporter İsmail Arı and the site’s managing editor Yaşar Gökdemir are being tried for “defamation.” This is the second hearing and will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
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10:00 – Tunceli (Dersim): Dersim Co-Mayor Cevdet Konak is due to appear at Tunceli 2nd High Criminal Court for a hearing on charges of “terrorist propaganda” stemming from public remarks made during the local election campaign.
Wednesday, May 14
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09:20 – Hakkari: Journalist Mimar Kaya will appear for the second hearing of his trial at Hakkari 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, where he is charged with “failing to implement a court-ordered access ban.”
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11:20 – Istanbul: Journalist Evrim Kepenek faces her fourth hearing at Büyükçekmece 9th Criminal Court of First Instance over charges of “violating the confidentiality of an investigation.” The case relates to her reporting on the death of a two-year-old child who was allegedly sexually abused in Istanbul’s Beylikdüzü district.
Thursday, May 15
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09:00 – Diyarbakır: Journalist Aziz Oruç will appear before the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court, where he is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization.” The MLSA Legal Unit is supporting his defense. Oruç will attend via SEGBİS (video link) from Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court.
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09:30 – Diyarbakır: The sixth hearing in the trial of 19 journalists, who are accused of “terrorist organization membership” for reporting news, producing talk and culture programs for international TV channels, will be held at Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court. Prosecutors are seeking up to 15 years in prison.
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09:35 – Istanbul: The ninth hearing in the trial of 15 people detained in Istanbul’s Şişli district during May Day (Labor and Solidarity Day) 2022 for attempting to march to Taksim Square. The defendants are charged with “participating in an unlawful assembly and failing to disperse despite warnings.” The case is being heard at Istanbul 29th Criminal Court of First Instance.
