July 13, 2026: Freedom of expression trials and other developments

• This week, journalists, cartoonists and comedians appeared before judges in Istanbul and Diyarbakır as part of freedom of expression trials. One case concluded with a verdict, while three others were adjourned.
• ETHA reporter Müslüm Koyun was released from pretrial detention. A prosecutor requested a prison sentence for LeMan cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan. Comedian Tuba Ulu was sentenced to five months in prison, and the announcement of the verdict was deferred.
• In Diyarbakır, a predominantly Kurdish city in southeastern Turkey, the trials of journalist Berivan Kutlu, journalist Hakkı Boltan and publishing house employee Delil Zengeralp were adjourned until Dec. 1, 2026, to allow time for the preparation of the defense statements on the merits.
• Among the developments observed during the hearings, sessions starting late, small courtrooms, and the refusal to admit members of the public and journalists without turquoise press cards to the Istanbul Courthouse stood out as concerns regarding the right to a fair trial.

This week, journalists, cartoonists and comedians stood trial in freedom of expression cases monitored in Istanbul and Diyarbakır. During the week, one court delivered its verdict, while three cases were adjourned to later dates for the submission of defense statements on the merits or the completion of procedural deficiencies.

Müslüm Koyun, a reporter for the Etkin News Agency (ETHA), was released from pretrial detention at the second hearing in his trial on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization." The Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court ordered that his case be merged with another proceeding and adjourned the trial until Oct. 27.

At the trial of LeMan cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan before the Istanbul 36th Criminal Court of First Instance, the prosecutor requested that he be convicted of "insulting the president" over posts made from an X account that Pehlevan said did not belong to him. The court maintained the travel ban imposed on Pehlevan and adjourned the hearing until Oct. 6, 2026, to allow time for the preparation of defense statements in response to the prosecutor's opinion on the merits.

The Istanbul 13th Criminal Court of First Instance also delivered its verdict in the case against comedian Tuba Ulu. Ulu, who was tried on charges of "inciting hatred and hostility among the public or denigration" over a stand-up performance about Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, was sentenced to five months in prison. The court ruled to defer the announcement of the verdict.

At the fourth hearing in the trial of journalist Berivan Kutlu before the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court, Kutlu, who is charged with "terrorist organization propaganda" over social media posts, had her case adjourned until Dec. 1, 2026, to allow time for the preparation of her defense statement on the merits.

Before the same court, proceedings also continued in the case publicly known as the "book trial," in which journalist Hakkı Boltan and publishing house employee Delil Zengeralp are charged with "aiding a terrorist organization." The case is based on allegations that they possessed banned publications. The court adjourned the hearing until Dec. 1, 2026, to allow time for the preparation of defense statements on the merits.

Fair trial concerns

Several fair trial concerns stood out during the monitored hearings. In the cases of Doğan Pehlevan and Tuba Ulu, hearings began late due to the courts' heavy caseloads, while Ulu's trial was held in a small courtroom. In addition, under security measures implemented at the Istanbul Courthouse beginning earlier in the week, members of the public and journalists without turquoise press cards were not permitted to enter the courthouse. The restriction drew attention for its impact on the public nature and observability of court proceedings. At the same time, observers noted that defense lawyers were given the opportunity to speak during the monitored hearings and that no overt judicial bias was observed.

Other developments

In addition to court proceedings, several other notable developments related to freedom of expression and press freedom took place during the week.

The European Court of Human Rights' Grand Chamber announced that it will deliver its judgment in Osman Kavala's application at a public hearing in Strasbourg on Aug. 25, 2026.

A bill approved by the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee paves the way for the transfer of some of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority's powers over the internet to the Presidency of Cybersecurity.

The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into former AKUT Search and Rescue Association President Nasuh Mahruki over a social media post marking the July 15 anniversary. Mahruki was detained upon his return to Turkey from abroad and referred to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for his pretrial detention.

At the 14th hearing in the Umut (Hope) trial, the court granted a request by the lawyer representing the family of assassinated investigative journalist Uğur Mumcu to hear retired Lt. Gen. Erdoğan Karakuş as a witness.

According to MLSA's assessment of the 2025-2026 judicial year, courts acquitted 542 people—including journalists, lawyers and students—in 10 separate cases related to the Saraçhane protests. In only one case did the court order that a criminal complaint be filed over allegations of torture and ill-treatment.