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 - 296

MA reporter Mehmet Aslan released pending trial; Roza Metina appears in court; Gökhan Biçici gives statement over 2019 report; HDP’s Demirtaş sentenced over his defense statement in court

MA reporter Mehmet Aslan released pending trial

Mehmet Aslan was jailed pending trial in January on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” due to his reports

Expression Interrupted releases first Freedom of Expression and the Press Agenda report

According to the report, during the first 4 months of 2021, 213 journalists stood trial; 20 journalists were sentenced to a combined 57 years in prison. At least 68 journalists are imprisoned

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 295

Melis Alphan acquitted; Osman Kavala remains behind bars as Gezi trial resumes; Ahmet Turan Alkan’s conviction reversed; ECtHR rules Öğreten and Kanaat’s detention violated multiple rights

Osman Kavala remains behind bars as Gezi Park trial resumes

Ruling to review the case file for the “Çarşı trial” to decide on whether to merge with the present case, the court set 6 August as the date for the next hearing

Supreme Court of Appeals reverses Ahmet Turan Alkan’s conviction

Reversing the conviction on the grounds of misjudgment due to incorrect assessment of evidence, the Chamber sent Alkan’s file to the trial court

ECtHR: Öğreten and Kanaat’s right to liberty, freedom of expression violated

Journalist Tunca Öğreten and BirGün staff member Mahir Kanaat remained behind bars for almost a year in 2017 as part of the “RedHack trial,” which is still pending before a criminal court in Istanbul

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 294

Journalist Deniz Yücel charged with Article 301 in new trial; Baransel Ağca faces investigation; activist Taylan Kulaçoğlu jailed; journalist-filmmaker Ruhi Karadağ sentenced for "propaganda"

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 293

Prosecutor appeals Bülent Şık’s acquittal; journalist İsmail Çoban sentenced over newspaper clippings; journalists covering May Day targeted by police; PİRHA reporter Ersin Özgül briefly detained

ANALYSIS | Crackdown on filming at protests: No one can be criminalized for exercising their rights

The police circular is clearly unconstitutional as it aims to reduce accountability of public officials and to censor the freedom to receive and impart information

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