A series of trials related to press freedom, social media expression, and protest participation are scheduled in Turkey during the week of September 15, with journalists and activists facing charges ranging from terrorism-related offenses to violating protest laws.
On Tuesday, September 16, proceedings will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Gaziantep 2nd High Criminal Court, where journalist İrfan Uçar is standing trial for “membership in a terrorist organization.” The case is based on his interviews and reporting activities, which his defense, handled by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), argues fall within the scope of journalism.
At 9:45 a.m., the Istanbul 36th Criminal Court of First Instance will hold the 11th hearing in the trial of journalist Metin Cihan, who is accused of “insulting a public official due to their duty.” The charges stem from social media posts that led to a complaint by former Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak.
At 10:15 a.m., 32 people, including journalist Sonya Bayık, will appear before the Batman 9th Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. The defendants were detained during a 2019 police intervention on a statement by the pro-Kurdish HDP Youth Assembly in Hasankeyf, a historic town in southeastern Turkey.
At 10:20 a.m., journalist Vedat Örüç, also represented by MLSA, will face charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” at the Mersin 6th High Criminal Court.
At 11:25 a.m., T24 reporter Asuman Aranca will stand trial at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. She is accused of “violating confidentiality” over her reporting on the high-profile murder of Sinan Ateş, a former leader of a nationalist youth group.
In the afternoon, at 2 p.m., attorney Fırat Epözdemir, a member of the Istanbul Bar Association Executive Board, will appear before the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court for the second hearing in a case where he is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda.” Epözdemir was arrested following a visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and was released during the initial hearing.
At 2:30 p.m., 26 individuals will be tried at the Ankara 65th Criminal Court of First Instance for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” after participating in a memorial for the Amasra coal mine disaster.
On Wednesday, September 17, journalist Mimar Kaya’s third hearing will be held at the Hakkari 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance at 11:20 a.m. Kaya, represented by MLSA, is accused of failing to comply with a court order blocking access to news reports about then-Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.
On Thursday, September 18, at 9:25 a.m., the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court will hear a case against 19 journalists charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda.” The case stems from a 2022 raid on production companies Pel Yapım, Piya Yapım, and Arî Yapım in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır. Defendants include DFG Co-Chair Serdar Altan, JINNEWS Director Sofya Alağaş, Xwebûn newspaper editor Mehmet Ali Ertaş, and Mezopotamya Agency editor Aziz Oruç.
At 11:50 a.m., ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür will appear before the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court. Müldür was arrested during a broader operation targeting the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF), and stands accused of “membership in a terrorist organization.”
On Friday, September 19, journalist Ece Üner will be tried at the Istanbul 19th Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of “publicly insulting judicial bodies” and “attempting to influence a fair trial.”
At 9:30 a.m., a separate hearing at the Izmir 23rd Criminal Court of First Instance will concern Süleyman Ekinci, who is charged with insulting the president.
At 10 a.m., the Istanbul 64th Criminal Court of First Instance will hold the second hearing in the case against 35 individuals detained during a protest marking the 100th day of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s detention. They are accused of “attending an illegal demonstration and failing to disperse despite warnings.”
