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.

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 279

Turkey ranks first in violations of freedom of expression among CoE member states; comedian Emre Günsal sentenced over onstage remarks; one former employee sentenced, four acquitted in Van TV trial

Nesibe Baransu: I couldn’t have anything done at public institutions for 4 years

Nesibe Baransu, the wife of jailed Taraf journalist Mehmet Baransu, who has been behind bars since March 2015, recounts how judicial harassment has taken its toll on her life

Ayşe Çetinbaş: Çayan Demirel was tried for a screening he couldn’t attend

Documentary filmmaker Demirel and his co-director Mavioğlu were each sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison on the charge of "terrorism propaganda" over a screening of their film, Bakur

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 278

Regional court overturns acquittals in Gezi Park trial; journalist Bulut sentenced at first hearing; ECtHR rules Atilla Taş’s detention violated his right to liberty

Regional court overturns acquittals in Gezi Park trial

Case remanded to Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court for the panel to reconsider their judgment by taking into account excluded evidence

ECtHR: Atilla Taş’s detention violated his right to liberty, freedom of expression

The singer and columnist’s pre-trial detention on account of his tweets and articles was unlawful and arbitrary, the European Court of Human Rights rules

An analysis of the new indictment against Demirtaş in light of the Grand Chamber judgment

Not releasing Demirtaş despite the Grand Chamber judgment is not only a simple failure to implement a final and binding ECtHR judgment, but also demonstrates how the rule of law has been eroded

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 277

ETHA reporter Pınar Gayıp arrested; Özgür Boğatekin handed down 18-month sentence; prosecutor seeks life sentence for jailed journalist Mustafa Gökkılıç; journalist Orhan Uğuroğlu assaulted

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 276

MA reporter Mehmet Aslan jailed; journalist Ayten Akgün given 11-month sentence; top court rules house arrest violated Şahin Alpay’s right to liberty; Müyesser Yıldız and İsmail Dükel face new charge

Journalists Müyesser Yıldız and İsmail Dükel face new charge

Odatv’s Yıldız and Tele1 TV’s Dükel are charged with “securing confidential information” in a new indictment against them, which the court decided to merge with the ongoing trial in December

1
Top