Expression Interrupted

Journalists and academics bear the brunt of the massive crackdown on freedom of expression in Turkey. Scores of them are currently subject to criminal investigations or behind bars. This website is dedicated to tracking the legal process against them.

Rights groups call for urgent release of journalists, others at risk of Covid-19

27 rights groups urge authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release journalists, rights defenders and others who have been charged or convicted simply for exercising their rights”

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 235

Journalists Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu, musician Yılmaz Çelik released from pre-trial detention; journalists, lawmakers, social media users face investigation over coronavirus reports, posts

Journalists Eser and Topaloğlu released pending trial

Mezopotamya news agency reporters Sadiye Eser and Sadık Topaloğlu were arrested on 3 December 2019 on the charge of “membership of a terrorist group”

Political prisoners to be excluded from COVID-19 early release plan

Government’s draft law to release up to one third of 300,000 prisoners will reportedly not apply to journalists and others convicted of “terrorism” crimes

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 234

Court rules for Osman Kavala’s release on “coup” charge; journalist Alptekin Dursunoğlu sentenced at first hearing; Supreme Court overturns Ali Akkuş’s conviction; at least four journalists questioned

CoE presses Turkey on implementation of free speech judgments

Committee of Ministers urged government to provide statistics on journalists and other free speech cases, reform anti-terror laws and Article 301

Ali Akkuş released as his co-defendants await Supreme Court ruling

The 16th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals overturns Akkuş’s conviction and orders the journalist’s release under a travel ban. However, the high court has yet to formally issue its jud

Journalist Dursunoğlu fined TL 1000 over his social media posts

Alptekin Dursunoğlu, who was jailed pending trial on 1 March on charge of “incitement to hatred and animosity,” sentenced for “praising an offense or an offender”

Rights groups call for swift end to Evrensel’s advertising ban

Evrensel faces removal from the public advertising system for at least three years if ban is not lifted until 28 March

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 233

Osman Kavala faces additional “espionage” charge in coup investigation; newspaper terminates Timur Soykan’s contract for supporting fellow journalists arrested in connection with Odatv report

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