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.

Journalist Kenan Kırkaya’s trial adjourned once again

Kenan Kırkaya, the former Ankara representative of Dicle News Agency, is among eight defendants charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” in the case that has been dragging on since 2017

Lawyer and columnist Nurcan Kaya sentenced for social media post

Kaya handed down 15-month sentence on charge of “terrorism propaganda” for her 2014 Twitter post about the fight against ISIS in Kobani

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 312

Deputy minister files 3 lawsuits against BirGün, Evrensel and Cumhuriyet; five journalists sentenced in Antalya; investigation launched against MA Editor Ferhat Çelik; journalist Yelda Çiçek sentenced

Officer who assaulted journalist Beyza Kural granted exemption from attending hearings

Trial follows on the heels of a Constitutional Court judgement, which held that Kural’s detention in 2015 violated freedom of expression, freedom of the press and prohibition of ill-treatment

Five journalists in Antalya handed down a total of 25 years in prison

The indictment, issued in 2017, charged 10 local journalists from various media outlets with “membership in a terrorist organization” over alleged ties with “FETÖ”

ANALYSIS | Fight against disinformation or the last link in the censorship mechanism

A new social media bill being drafted by the government against disinformation, expected to be brought to Parliament in October, will further stifle free speech, lead to more censorship, critics warn

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Top court publishes Özgür Gündem judgment; prosecutor demands acquittal of Meşale Tolu, who spent 7.5 months behind bars; prosecutors seek sentence for Buse Söğütlü and Roza Metina

Constitutional Court’s Özgür Gündem judgment published

The failure to apply the closure measure in a temporary manner violated the Constitution, the top court wrote

Prosecutor demands acquittal for Meşale Tolu

Tolu, a German citizen, remained behind bars with her toddler son for over seven months in 2017 as part of this case. Court is expected to render its judgment in December

Prosecutor demands sentence for journalist Buse Söğütlü

Söğütlü is on trial for a Twitter post about Judge Akın Gürlek. Court is expected to issue its judgment at the next hearing, set for 27 January 2022

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