This week trials concerning journalism and freedom of expression on various charges will be heard. Among the cases to be heard throughout the week are those involving Can Dündar, related to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) trucks and the Özgür Gündem trials, as well as a case against Eren Keskin, the chairperson of the Human Rights Association (İHD), for commemorating the Armenian Genocide. Additionally, Furkan Karabay faces charges of insulting Bilal Erdoğan, and 15 public officials are on trial for membership in a terrorist organization related to the assassination of Hrant Dink.
MLSA Trial Monitoring Unit will share updates from the hearings in Turkish and English via @MLSADavaTakip.
March 26, Tuesday
09.25 - The trial of journalist Can Dündar on charges of "military espionage" continues at Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court following the Court of Cassation's decision to retry the "MIT trucks case".
10.40 - The fifth hearing of the trial against journalist Dilan Esen, accused of "insulting a public official" based on a complaint by the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, will take place at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
14.00 - The fourth hearing of the trial against Erdem Avşar, the Responsible Managing Editor of a newspaper, accused of "defamation" and "insult" based on a complaint by Serhat Albayrak, Vice Chairman of Turkuvaz Media Group, due to a news article published in Yeniçağ newspaper, will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
14.00 - The second hearing of the trial against Eren Keskin, Co-Chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD), and Güllistan Yarkın, a member of the Commission against Racism and Discrimination, accused of "insulting the state" due to an event commemorating the Armenian Genocide organized by IHD in 2021, will take place at Istanbul 51st Criminal Court of First Instance.
11.00 - The seventh hearing of the trial against Nebiye Merttürk, General President of Halkevleri, and 6 members of Halkevleri accused of "opposing Law No. 2911" will be held at Ankara 50th Criminal Court of First Instance.
11.20 - The first hearing of the trial against journalist Furkan Karabay, accused of "insult" based on a complaint by Bilal Erdoğan, the son of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place at Istanbul 47th Criminal Court of First Instance.
March 27, Wednesday
10.10 - The trial of 15 public officials accused of the assassination of Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink in 2007 will be held at Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court.
March 28, Thursday
09.05 - The trial of journalist Can Dündar, accused of "publishing and disseminating terrorist organization publications" for participating in the "Editor-in-Chief on Duty" campaign organized in support of the closed Özgür Gündem newspaper, will be held at Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court.
10.30 - The seventh hearing of the lawsuit filed against 16 people who were detained during the "Freedom for Sick Prisoners" vigil organized by the Initiative for Solidarity with Prisoners, on charges of "violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911" will be held at Bakırköy 51st Criminal Court of First Instance.
11.00 - The seventh hearing of the trial against Nebiye Merttürk, General President of Halkevleri, accused of "insulting" President Tayyip Erdoğan and Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), will take place at Ankara 70th Criminal Court of First Instance.
12.00 - The fourth hearing of the trial against Pınar Gayıp and Mehmet Acettin, editor and co-owner of Etkin Haber Ajansı (ETHA), accused of "publicly insulting the Republic of Turkey" will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
12.00 - The second hearing of the trial against Gökay Başcan, editor of BirGün newspaper, accused of "insult" based on a complaint by Emine Erdoğan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will take place at Istanbul 17th Criminal Court of First Instance.
15.00 - The fifth hearing of the trial against Uğur Koç, Responsible Managing Editor of a newspaper, accused of "insulting the president" due to a photograph published in Birgün newspaper with President Erdoğan's picture in the background, will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
March 29, Friday
09.30 - The trial against journalist Baransel Ağca, accused of "publicly insulting religious values adopted by a section of the public" due to social media posts, will take place at Istanbul 43rd Criminal Court of First Instance.
10.20 - The second hearing of the lawsuit filed against journalists İnan Kızılkaya and İhsan Çaralan due to "insulting the President" through a news article published in Özgür Gündem newspaper will be held at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
14.00 - The first hearing of the compensation lawsuit filed by MLSA Legal Unit on behalf of journalist İrfan Uçar against the Ministry of Treasury for the unlawful raid on his home, seizure of materials, and imposition of judicial control, will be held at Gaziantep 1st High Criminal Court.
14.30 - The trial against healthcare professionals who participated in the strike declared by the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) to improve working conditions in Van will take place at Van 1st Criminal Court of First Instance.
