On April 26, 2024, the Milas Public Prosecutor’s Office in Turkey ruled that journalist Zeynep Kuray’s social media posts about Akbelen Forest do not warrant prosecution under the controversial "censorship law." These posts discussed her observations of environmental activists being surrounded by gendarmes and the alleged detention and torture of a young protester. The prosecutor's decision emphasized that even disturbing or unpleasant expressions fall under the protection of freedom of speech, referencing both the European Convention on Human Rights and the Turkish Constitution.
Kuray, represented legally by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), faced investigation under Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code, commonly referred to as the "misleading public information" clause of the censorship law. She argued in her defense that her posts were part of her journalistic duties, reporting on a witness account of alleged torture.
The decision is seen as a significant affirmation of press freedom in Turkey, particularly in the context of environmental activism and the increasing scrutiny of public interest journalism. This ruling underscores the protected right to express unsettling or controversial opinions without the fear of legal repercussions.
