This week, courts in Istanbul, Ankara, Konya, and Şanlıurfa will resume hearings in a number of ongoing trials involving freedom of expression, journalism, and the right to protest. Among the defendants are journalists, students, and civil society activists.
Monday, Dec. 1
10:05 – Konya: The second hearing in the trial of journalist Mehmet Oflaz will be held at the Konya Criminal Court of First Instance. Oflaz is accused of "violating the confidentiality of an investigation" and "defamation" over a news report published during his time at Cumhuriyet newspaper. The case began with an initial hearing held by proxy at the Ankara 21st Criminal Court of First Instance. Co-defendants Adnan Okur and Nurullah Ankut are also standing trial in the same case.
10:30 – Gebze: The fifth hearing in a civil lawsuit concerning the cancellation of the Kurdish-language play Don Kîxot, adapted by Amed City Theater and performed by Mezopotamya Cultural Center actors, will be held at the Gebze 3rd Civil Court of Peace. The lawsuit was filed after the AKP-led Çayırova Municipality canceled the performance, which plaintiffs argue constitutes a violation of cultural rights. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) is representing the plaintiffs.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
09:20 – Şanlıurfa: The retrial of writer Gökhan Yavuzel will continue at the Şanlıurfa 5th High Criminal Court. Yavuzel was previously sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for “terror propaganda” based on expressions in his book Sahipsiz Şiirler and remarks made during a public event. The announcement of the verdict had been suspended under judicial discretion, but the Constitutional Court later ruled that his right to a fair trial had been violated, prompting a retrial. This will be the second hearing in that process.
09:28 – Ankara: The eighth hearing in a civil compensation case against journalist Barış Pehlivan will take place at the Ankara 23rd Civil Court of First Instance. The plaintiff is seeking TL 10,000 in damages over alleged violations of personal rights stemming from a news report published by Pehlivan.
10:30 – Istanbul: The first hearing in the trial of journalist Furkan Karabay will be held at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. Karabay is facing charges of "insulting the president," "targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism," and "insulting a public official due to their duty." He has been in pretrial detention in Silivri Prison since May 15, 2025.
14:30 – Istanbul: The first hearing in the trial of journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz will be held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Yılmaz is charged under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code—“denigrating the Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and state institutions”—in connection with a news report titled “Young Armenians from Turkey speak: 109 years of mourning.”
Thursday, Dec. 4
09:30 – Istanbul: The third hearing in the mass trial of 139 individuals accused of “participating in an unlawful assembly and refusing to disperse despite warnings” will be held at the Istanbul 49th Criminal Court of First Instance. The charges relate to protests held in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
10:05 – Istanbul: The second hearing in the trial of journalist Elif Akgül will be held at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court. Akgül is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization,” a charge often leveled against journalists and rights defenders in Turkey. MLSA is providing her legal defense. Mehmet Saltoğlu is a co-defendant in the same case. At the previous hearing, the court granted time for defense statements in response to the prosecution’s final opinion. Akgül remains under a travel ban.
