In the trials followed by MLSA this week, 15 journalists, 14 lawyers, and one activist stood before the judge for expressing their opinions. This week, at least one journalist was also taken into custody, and a new case was filed against JIN NEWS News Director Öznur Değer, who was released from prison. In addition, journalist Yıldız Tar, who had been detained since February 21, was released from Silivri Prison upon the acceptance of the indictment. This week, lawyer Fırat Epözdemir, who had been in detention since January 25, and journalist Vedat Örüç, who was held in Mersin prison, were also released after their first hearings.
The prominent hearings this week were as follows:
Release and travel ban for journalist Vedat Örüç
Journalist Vedat Örüç, represented by MLSA and detained since January, appeared before the judge for the first time. A decision for his release was issued. Accused of membership in an organization, the journalist had been imprisoned for 130 days. He was arrested in January along with six other journalists, and the institutions he worked for and his SGK (Social Security Institution) records were used as grounds for the charges.
Case against journalists who attended the Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin commemoration
The second hearing of the case against journalists and politicians charged with “propaganda for an organization” for attending the commemoration of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were killed in Syria on December 19, 2024, was held at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court. The hearing lasted only three minutes and was postponed.
Furkan Karabay’s trial over his post on the Ahmet Özer investigation
The first hearing in the case against journalist Furkan Karabay, who was detained on November 9 and released on November 18 over his posts regarding the investigation process of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer,was held. Karabay has also been detained in a new investigation since May 15.
Describing the indictment prepared against him as a “sloppy indictment,” Karabay continued his defense statement, saying: “Due to these kinds of indictments, political cases, trust in the judiciary is at rock bottom. What I do is nothing other than journalism. If the same news story happened again, I would report it again. Because we do not repent, we do not give up. We are not working for mafias like some do. As journalists, we are responsible to the public. Even if we’re imprisoned, we’ll get out again, go back in again, and keep writing. What’s being judged here is journalism itself.”
Lawyer Fırat Epözdemir released at first hearing after four months in jail
A decision for release was issued in the case in which lawyer Fırat Epözdemir, a member of the Istanbul Bar Association Executive Board, was being tried in detention on charges of “membership in an organization” and “spreading organization propaganda.”
Trial against Istanbul Bar Association also held this week
The first hearing in the case against Istanbul Bar Association Chair İbrahim Kaboğlu and board members—filed over their statement about the journalists killed in Syria—was held in Silivri. During their defense statements, the lawyers said they were being tried “with a prison view in front of them.”
Journalist Yelda Çiçek retried and acquitted
Journalist Yelda Çiçek had been detained in Diyarbakır in 2019 while covering protests against the appointment of government trustees (kayyım). She was later tried on charges of “violating the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations” and sentenced to five months in prison. Her case was brought before the Constitutional Court, which ruled that her right to a fair trial had been violated. In the retrial, she was acquitted.
Short updates from other hearings...
The trial of lawyer Necat Çiçek and Adile Salman, who are being prosecuted for their legal practice, was postponed again.
An employee of a publishing house accused of “spreading organization propaganda” over a book about Nelson Mandela was acquitted.
In the May 1, 2024 case, emphasis was placed on violence with the statement: “They removed the press and created a setting where no images could be taken.”
Investigations, detentions, and censorship…
Journalist Furkan Karabay’s objection was rejected on the same day.
A new case was filed against JINNEWS News Director Öznur Değer immediately after her release.
The broadcast suspension penalty issued by RTÜK (Turkey’s media regulator) for Sözcü TV will be enforced on May 31.
ETHA reporter Ömer Akgün was taken into custody.
As part of the 30th anniversary of the Saturday Mothers, the issue of the disappeared was discussed.
Journalist Elif Akgül’s request for release has been pending for a week.
Access was blocked to some YouTube channels belonging to Kurdish journalists.
A criminal complaint was filed by former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu against journalist Nevşin Mengü and academic Emrah Gülsunar.
