In June 2025, Turkish courts heard 42 hearings across 43 separate trials monitored by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), involving 212 defendants. Among them were 27 journalists, 181 activists — some of whom are also students or lawyers — two politicians, one artist, one writer and one newspaper distributor. Three journalists and one activist were released from prison, while one journalist received a prison sentence. Many cases were postponed to the fall, with new hearings scheduled for September, October, November and December.
Beyond the courtroom, six journalists were newly arrested, and nine others — along with four magazine staff members — were taken into police custody. Turkey’s media regulator RTÜK also announced it may revoke the broadcasting licenses of three TV channels. Meanwhile, ten new cases were opened against journalists, and arrest warrants were issued for a journalist and a media executive.
Artvin investigation leads to wave of journalist arrests
On June 13, seven individuals — including six journalists — were detained and transferred to the northeastern province of Artvin. Interrogations the following day focused on their provision of software services to news sites, royalty payments for published content, and their phone calls, which were cited as evidence. Journalists Dicle Baştürk, Eylem Yılmaz, Ozan Cırık (Sendika.org webmaster), and Yavuz Akengin were arrested as part of this investigation. In the days that followed, journalist Metin Yoksu was also detained under the same Artvin-based case. Additionally, veteran journalist Fatih Altaylı was arrested on June 22 for comments made on his YouTube channel.
An arrest warrant was also issued for Halk TV owner Cafer Mahiroğlu. Another warrant was issued for journalist Nedim Türfent on terrorism propaganda charges.
Other detentions targeting journalists in June
Tuğçe Yılmaz, editor at Bianet, was detained in Istanbul. She later described her detention experience in detail to MLSA. Journalist Fatih Altaylı was detained at his home, while journalist İrfan Değirmenci was arrested at Yoğurtçu Park in Istanbul.
New investigations and charges against journalists
Seven journalists were charged in June for allegedly recording audio or video during courtroom hearings. In the high-profile Gürlek case, BirGün newspaper executives had their first hearing on June 30. Journalist Altan Sancar was charged with “spreading misleading information to the public,” while Berivan Kutlu faced terrorism propaganda charges.
Meanwhile, MA correspondent Yeşim Tükel was targeted with an investigation for showing solidarity with fellow journalists. Journalist Aslıhan Gençay was summoned to give a statement over a news story concerning video leaks allegedly involving Halil Falyalı, a figure with organized crime links. A separate investigation against journalist Rabia Önver was dropped.
Labor action and censorship
Staff at KRT TV, who had gone unpaid for months, staged a protest demanding back wages and halted broadcasts in response. The protest succeeded in securing unpaid salaries.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s leading LGBTQ+ platform Kaos GL had its website blocked by authorities in June, and its X (formerly Twitter) account was also restricted.
In prison, journalist Eylem Yılmaz, arrested in the Artvin investigation, was reportedly forced to sleep on the floor with only a blanket. Her situation drew public attention, and she was later transferred to Erzincan Prison.
LeMan magazine targeted following cartoon publication
LeMan, a popular satirical magazine in Turkey, was attacked over a cartoon it published. Four of the magazine’s staff members were detained by police.
Broadcast regulator pressures independent media
RTÜK issued a licensing warning for Fatih Altaylı’s YouTube channel and said it may revoke the licenses of three unnamed broadcasters. The move comes amid growing concerns over media freedom in Turkey, where the regulator frequently targets critical outlets.
One journalist released, another threatened
Journalist Elif Akgül was released on June 2 by court order (tensip zaptı) after being held in pre-trial detention in connection with the ongoing HDK investigation. Meanwhile, journalist Zeynep Durgut received threats after reporting on a prostitution ring in the southeastern province of Şırnak.
Overview of trials in June
Throughout the month, courts held numerous hearings for journalists, activists, politicians and lawyers. While some were released or acquitted, others had their trials postponed or received sentences.
On June 10, artist Ferhat Tunç stood trial in Istanbul’s 37th High Criminal Court over his social media posts, facing terrorism propaganda charges. The case was postponed until November. The same day, journalist Rüstem Batum was tried in Istanbul’s 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance for allegedly insulting the president. That case was also adjourned to November.
On June 11, journalist Burhan Ekinci appeared before the 30th High Criminal Court in Istanbul, also for alleged propaganda based on social media content. His trial was postponed to November.
On June 12, journalist Rahime Karvar, detained since January 20, appeared for the first time in court on membership in a terrorist organization charges. She was released under a travel ban. On the same day, Istanbul’s 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance postponed a hearing for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, accused of attempting to influence an expert witness during a press conference.
On June 13 in Van, journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu, detained since January 20, was released under judicial control pending trial on membership charges.
On June 16, human rights defender and physician Şebnem Korur Fincancı had a defamation case dismissed due to statute of limitations. A second case against Mayor İmamoğlu related to a political panel was also postponed. A case involving 23 people detained while covering the Ethem Sarısülük protest in Ankara continued without a verdict.
On June 17, lawyer Süleyman Şahin was acquitted in Diyarbakır of membership in a terrorist organization. Journalist Hatice Şahin’s trial, related to the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) case, was postponed to November. In Istanbul, journalist Elif Bayburt faced charges of insulting the state for an interview conducted in the West Bank — the case was postponed to December. The same day, exiled journalist Can Dündar appeared in court over his symbolic participation in the “Editor-in-Chief on Duty” campaign for Özgür Gündem, facing charges of insulting a public official. His case was also adjourned to December.
On June 18, journalist Perihan Kaya was retried for alleged propaganda following a Court of Appeals decision overturning her prior conviction. The trial was postponed to November.
On June 19, writer Mehmet Şahin’s trial in Diyarbakır on membership charges was adjourned to September. Ten people detained during a neighborhood festival in Istanbul’s 1 Mayıs district were tried for violating protest laws; no verdict was issued. Journalist Furkan Karabay, jailed over social media posts accusing him of insulting the president, had his next hearing set for July. Journalist Barış Terkoğlu appeared in two separate cases for defamation and insult — both were adjourned to December. Also that day, 139 people were tried for participating in the Saraçhane protest; the hearing was postponed.
On June 24, JINNEWS reporter Derya Ren was acquitted of insulting a police officer. In Istanbul, Veysi Sarısözen and Osman Akın of Yeni Yaşam newspaper stood trial for terrorism propaganda; the case was delayed until November. On the same day, Seda Şaraldı and 11 others faced charges in the long-running ÇHD (Progressive Lawyers Association) trial, which was also postponed.
On June 25, ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür was released from pretrial detention in a case where she had been jailed since January 24. Also that day, the trial of journalist İdris Yılmaz was reopened in the eastern town of Erciş and postponed to September.
On June 26 in Diyarbakır, journalist Zilan Gül was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison for allegedly aiding a terrorist group by distributing newspapers. That day, Buse Söğütlü and four others stood trial over detentions during the 21st Feminist Night March — their next hearing was scheduled for January 2026. Also, Bekir Aslan (known as Basel) was released under judicial control after being detained since April 11.
On June 30, BirGün newspaper executives İbrahim Aydın, Uğur Koç and Yaşar Gökdemir appeared in court for allegedly targeting individuals involved in anti-terror operations and insulting public officials. Their next hearing is in September. Another session in the Saraçhane protest case was also held the same day, but no verdict was issued.
