This week, trials that have drawn both domestic and international attention will continue within the scope of freedom of expression. Hearings for cases filed against journalists, publishers, and activists over social media posts, protest actions, and news content will take place in courts in Istanbul and Ankara.
Monday, February 2, 2026
11:10 a.m. – The second hearing of the trial against journalist Perihan Erkılınç, who is charged with “membership in a terrorist organization,” will be held at Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
10:15 a.m. – The 11th hearing of the trial in which journalist Baransel Ağca is being tried on the charge of “publicly insulting the religious values adopted by a segment of the public” due to a social media post he made in 2020 will be held at Istanbul 43rd Criminal Court of First Instance. In previous hearings, the defendant was not brought to the courtroom, and the arrest warrant issued for him remained in effect. His lawyer had not attended the hearing, citing an excuse.
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
10:00 a.m. – The 10th hearing of the case against the editors of the France-based magazine Charlie Hebdo, who are charged with “insulting the President,” will be held at Ankara 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants include Julin Serignac, Gerard Biard, Laurent Sourisseau, and Alice Petit. The hearing was postponed again in the previous session because the defendants live abroad and their statements could not be taken. On the day of the hearing, a large number of plainclothes police officers were present in front of the courthouse. Their lawyers also did not attend the session.
12:00 p.m. – The fourth hearing of the trial of nine activists who protested trade with Israel during a speech by President Erdoğan will be held at Istanbul 8th Criminal Court of First Instance. The defendants are charged with “participating in unlawful meetings and demonstrations” and “failing to disperse despite warning.” The court had decided to hear the police officers on duty that day as witnesses. In the previous session, the defendants were not brought to court, but their lawyers were present.
Thursday, February 5, 2026
09:05 a.m. – The back-to-back hearings of two separate cases filed against writer Gökhan Yavuzel, whose defense is being handled by MLSA, on charges of “insulting the President” based on his social media posts, will be held at Şanlıurfa 16th Criminal Court of First Instance.
10:20 a.m. – The ninth hearing of the case against journalist Sedef Kabaş, filed due to 25 of her social media posts on the charge of “insulting the President,” will be held at Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. In the previous session, the court had noted that the file was related to similar cases at Istanbul 36th Criminal Court of First Instance and Istanbul Anatolian 7th Criminal Court of First Instance and decided to wait for the rulings in those cases to become final. Kabaş is currently under a travel ban.
