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.

Court issues reasoned judgment in Özgür Gündem main trial

Court panel writes in the judgment against Eren Keskin, Zana Kaya, İnan Kızılkaya and Kemal Sancılı that the defendants "used human rights advocacy as a veil"

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 287

Journalist Perihan Kaya sentenced for "propaganda"; Ruhi Karadağ detained, imposed travel ban; French journalist Sylvain Mercadier denied entry to Turkey; Yağmur Kaya arrested while covering protest

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 286

Hakan Aygün, Ali Ergin Demirhan sentenced; students appear in court over Boğaziçi exhibition; HDP’s Gergerlioğlu stripped of MP status; Arif Aslan acquitted in case where he spent 8 months behind bars

Students charged with "inciting hatred" over Boğaziçi exhibition appear before court

Court releases two students who had been in pre-trial detention for 47 days, lifts house arrest of one student. Trial adjourned until 5 July

Gergerlioğlu stripped of MP status, to be jailed over Twitter post

Opposition deputy and human rights defender Gergerlioğlu stems from a social media post retweeting a news story from 2016

Ali Ergin Demirhan fined for "insulting the president"

Sendika.org editor Demirhan was on trial for social media posts featuring news reports published on the website between January 2018 and March 2018

Journalists Seyhan Avşar and Necdet Önemli acquitted

Cumhuriyet reporter Avşar and Sözcü responsible editor Önemli were charged with “marking a public official involved in the fight against terrorism as a target for terrorist organizations”

Journalist Hakan Aygün handed down 7-month sentence

Aygün sentenced to 7 months and 15 days in prison for “insulting religious values” in a social media post, sentence deferred

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 285

Journalists Yıldız and Dükel sentenced; appellate court reverses judgment in Özgürlükçü Demokrasi trial; three journalists sentenced for “terrorism propaganda”; columnist Levent Gültekin assaulted

Committee of Ministers to examine Kavala’s situation at each meeting

Also examining the case of Selahattin Demirtaş, the Committee reminds Turkey its obligation to abide by ECtHR judgments and urges authorities to ensure Demirtaş's immediate release

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