In the week of May 6–10, many people who were being prosecuted due to freedom of expression and journalistic activities appeared before a judge.
In the trials where many journalists and legal professionals were tried, both acquittal decisions were issued and new postponement dates were determined. In cases involving names such as journalists Barış Pehlivan, Zeynep Kuray, Diren Yurtsever, and Bedirhan Sarsılmaz — who was removed from the hearing and then detained — acquittal decisions were given; while the cases of artist Ferhat Tunç, journalists Pınar Gayıp, Furkan Karabay, Nurcan Yalçın and Hakkı Boltan were postponed. In addition, in the case of three journalists who were prosecuted for covering the G20 protests in 2015, a decision for dismissal of proceedings was issued. While the presence of observers in courtrooms was notable, technical problems and insufficient courtroom facilities once again became a topic of discussion in some hearings.
Besides journalists, prosecutions of businesspeople — who previously were rarely seen in freedom of expression trials — are also increasing. This week, former Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal also appeared before a judge for criticizing a Ramadan greeting in a company email chain.
This week also, journalists Ender İmrek, Yıldız Tar and Elif Akgül — who were arrested in the February HDK operation — were named in a European Parliament report. In addition, indictments were prepared for journalists Ercüment Akdeniz and Yıldız Tar.
Here’s what happened in this week’s trials:
Journalists Pehlivan and Yurtoğlu acquitted
Barış Pehlivan, columnist for Cumhuriyet newspaper, and journalist Ozan Alper Yurtoğlu were being tried at the Istanbul 15th Criminal Court of First Instance for “insulting the president” and “insulting a public official.” At this week’s hearing, both journalists were acquitted.
Zeynep Kuray acquitted of propaganda charge
Journalist Zeynep Kuray, whose defense was handled by MLSA, was accused of “terrorist propaganda” due to her social media posts between 2014–2023. In the third hearing of the case held at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, the defendant was acquitted.
Lawyer Bedirhan Sarsılmaz acquitted
Lawyer Bedirhan Sarsılmaz, who was detained in the courtroom, was acquitted in the case where he was accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” due to his professional activities. At the first hearing at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court, technical shortcomings in the courtroom were observed. During the defense, it was notable that the presiding judge repeatedly warned the defendant.
Journalist Diren Yurtsever acquitted
Journalist Diren Yurtsever was acquitted at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court in the case where he was accused of disclosing the identity of a witness in the Kobane trial. The hearing went smoothly, and observers faced no interference.
Cem Köksal acquitted in ‘Ramadan greeting’ case
Former Zorlu Holding CEO Cem Köksal was acquitted in the first hearing of the case filed against him due to a “Ramadan greeting” message he sent to Vestel CEO Ergün Güler, which was later made public. In the hearing at the Istanbul 24th Criminal Court of First Instance, Köksal stated that he did not interfere with anyone’s belief and that his message was a warning regarding corporate procedures.
Dismissal decision in G20 protest trial of three journalists
In the case against 17 people including journalists Eylem Sonbahar, Sema Karakurt and Metin Cihan, who were detained while covering protests against the 2015 G20 Summit in Antalya, a dismissal decision was issued.
Sinan Aygül acquitted in insult case against attackers
Sinan Aygül, head of the Bitlis Journalists Association, was acquitted in the case where he was accused of threatening the bodyguards of Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani, who had attacked him.
Barış Pehlivan sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison
Journalist Barış Pehlivan announced on social media that he was sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison on charges of “violating the confidentiality of communication.” Pehlivan stated that the trial took place in Kilis, where the prosecutor mentioned in the news story worked, and that the decision was given by the “colleagues” of that prosecutor.
Case of Terkoğlu and Üçok postponed: ‘Former prosecutor should testify as witness’
The fifth hearing of the case against journalist Barış Terkoğlu and former military judge Ahmet Zeki Üçok — who are being tried for “publicly insulting a public official in succession due to duty” because of Terkoğlu’s April 2023 articles titled “How influential FETÖ members are being saved” and “Mr. Prosecutor, I’m coming, add this article too” in Cumhuriyet newspaper — was held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.
ETHA trial postponed
In the case with 23 defendants heard at the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court, journalists, lawyers and activists, including İsminaz Temel and Havva Cuştan, are accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terrorist propaganda.” The court ruled that footage and records regarding some defendants should be requested from the relevant law enforcement units and postponed the trial to Oct. 22, 2025.
MA reporters’ trial postponed
In the case against journalists Mehmet Aslan, Esra Solin Dal and Erdoğan Alayumat, the defendants are accused of “membership in a terrorist organization.” The Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court decided to wait for the outcome of open investigation files concerning the defendants and postponed the hearing to Sept. 11, 2025.
Journalist Ahmet Güneş’s trial postponed
In the trial of journalist Ahmet Güneş, who had been released after a short detention, the court decided to write to the police to determine whether there was anyone who had testified against him. The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2025.
Journalist Nurcan Yalçın’s case postponed
In the case held at Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court, Nurcan Yalçın is charged with “committing crimes on behalf of an organization without being a member” and “violating the law on the financing of terrorism” due to her activities at Rosa Women’s Association and her journalism at Jinnews. In the third hearing this week, the court decided to hear a witness and wait for the outcome of an open investigation file. The defendant did not attend, but her lawyer was present. The travel ban imposed on Yalçın remains in place. The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2025.
Hakkı Boltan trial involves Erdoğan and Davutoğlu as complainants
In the trial held at Diyarbakır 11th Criminal Court of First Instance, journalist Hakkı Boltan is accused of “insulting the president” and “insulting a public official” due to statements he made during a press release in 2016. President Erdoğan and then-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu are listed as complainants. The hearing was the seventh session, and the defendant did not attend, while his lawyer submitted an excuse. The court postponed the hearing to Nov. 6, 2025, to allow for the preparation of the final opinion and due to the judge being on leave.
Ozan Balık’s ‘misleading information’ case merged
In the case against Ozan Balık at Antalya 26th Criminal Court of First Instance, the journalist is being tried for “publicly spreading misleading information” due to his social media posts. At this week’s hearing, it was decided that the file from Antalya would be merged with the main case in Istanbul. The trial will continue in Istanbul, and the number of defendants increased to 12.
Furkan Karabay faces lawsuit filed by Bilal Erdoğan
Journalist Furkan Karabay is being tried at Istanbul 47th Criminal Court of First Instance for “insult” and “slander” following a complaint by Bilal Erdoğan over a social media post. This was the first hearing. The defendant was not present, but his lawyer was. The court postponed the trial to Nov. 13, 2025, to wait for the finalization of a previous acquittal decision made by the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance concerning Karabay.
Trial against Ferhat Tunç put on hold
In the 21st hearing of the trial against artist Ferhat Tunç — who is charged with “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” over social media posts — the court ruled to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against him. The hearing was postponed to Sept. 10, 2025.
Protective measures continue in Zaman newspaper executives’ trial
In the 26th hearing of the case against former Zaman newspaper executives Mehmet Kamış and Ali Çolak at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, the defendants are charged with crimes against the constitutional order and “membership in a terrorist organization.” The court decided to maintain the international travel bans and to return the imaged digital materials. The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2025.
Pınar Gayıp’s trial postponed
In the trial against journalist Pınar Gayıp at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, she is accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda.” The defendant was present and gave her defense statement. The court decided to wait for the outcomes of two separate investigations and to continue the travel ban. The next hearing was postponed to July 7, 2025.
