In the week of June 10, two jailed journalists were released after their first court appearances, while five others were detained in a new investigation based in northeastern Turkey. Separately, a warrant was issued for the owner of opposition-linked Halk TV, employees at KRT television halted broadcasts over unpaid wages, and several court cases involving journalists moved forward.
Karvar and Hacıoğlu released under judicial control
Rahime Karvar, a journalist who had been detained since Jan. 20 as part of an Istanbul-based investigation, appeared before the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court on June 12. She is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization,” based on evidence tied to her journalism. The court ruled to release Karvar under a travel ban and postponed the trial to July 17.
Journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu, also arrested on Jan. 20, appeared before the Van 2nd High Criminal Court on June 13. The charges against her also stem from her professional activities and interviews. Her lawyer, Jiyan Özkaplan, argued that the indictment sought to criminalize journalism and requested her release. The court granted conditional release and scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 9.
Artist Ferhat Tunç’s trial continues without his presence
The 16th hearing in the trial of musician and dissident Ferhat Tunç was held on June 10 at the Istanbul 37th High Criminal Court. Tunç is accused of “making terrorist propaganda” based on his social media posts. Neither he nor his lawyer attended the session. The court ruled to wait for the execution of an outstanding arrest warrant and adjourned the trial to Nov. 7.
Journalist Rüstem Batum faces charges over presidential insult
The eighth hearing in the case against journalist Rüstem Batum, defended by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), was held on June 10 at the Istanbul 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Batum is charged with “insulting the president” due to social media posts. The court also chose to await the execution of his arrest warrant and set the next session for Nov. 25.
Burhan Ekinci trial adjourned
Journalist Burhan Ekinci, represented by MLSA, is on trial for alleged “terrorist propaganda” over seven social media posts. The 13th hearing was held on June 11 at the Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court. The judge decided to wait for the enforcement of the arrest warrant and postponed the trial to Nov. 25.
Imamoğlu’s trial lasts 17 minutes as legal team protests court venue
The first hearing in the case against Istanbul Mayor and opposition presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoğlu lasted just 17 minutes. He is charged with “attempting to influence an expert witness or witness” and “attempting to influence a fair trial” over remarks made during a press conference titled “The Biggest Carrot.” Imamoğlu and his legal team did not attend, citing legal objections to the court’s location and scheduling. The prosecutor requested that future hearings be held in Silivri due to space and security concerns. The court accepted the request and postponed the trial to Sept. 26.
Five journalists detained in Artvin-based investigation
On the morning of June 13, police detained journalists Semra Pelek, Dicle Baştürk, Ozan Cırık, and Melisa Efe in raids on their homes, as part of an investigation led by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Artvin, a province in Turkey’s northeast. Journalist Eylem Yılmaz was also taken into custody later that morning. A police raid was carried out at journalist Metin Yoksu’s home, but he was not present and thus not detained. A confidentiality order has been imposed on the case.
KRT TV halts broadcasts amid pay crisis
Employees at KRT, a Turkish television station, announced a halt in broadcasts due to not receiving their salaries for six days. “No point of contact, no payment, no broadcast,” read a statement from the staff, who noted that they may have made television history by going off-air over unpaid wages.
Warrant issued for Halk TV owner
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for Cafer Mahiroğlu, owner of opposition-aligned Halk TV. He is accused of “rigging public tenders.”
Trial of BirGün newspaper executives set for June 30
Ibrahim Aydın, Uğur Koç, and Yaşar Gökdemir, executives at the leftist daily BirGün, are facing trial over a news report critical of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. They are charged with “insulting a public official,” and prosecutors are seeking prison terms of up to five years. The trial will begin on June 30 at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
Journalist Furkan Karabay remains in custody
Journalist Furkan Karabay, who has been jailed for one month, remained in pretrial detention following a June 13 review hearing. His lawyer, Enes Ermaner, stated that they were not informed of the hearing and described it as a violation of the right to a defense. Emphasizing that Karabay is jailed solely for his journalism, Ermaner said they would file a release request with the Criminal Court of First Instance.
