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.

Writer Yavuz Ekinci given jail sentence for his social media posts

An Istanbul court sentenced writer Yavuz Ekinci to 1 year 6 months and 22 days in prison on the charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.” The sentence was suspended

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey - 338

Verdict expected in Gezi Trial on 22 April; actor İlyas Salman goes on trial; attackers of Levent Gültekin given deferred sentence; prosecutor seeks prison term for ETHA journalists

Government offers to pay compensation to Zehra Doğan in ECtHR case

The ECtHR ruled to strike out Doğan's application after the government acknowledged a violation of the right to presumption of innocence in the course of her imprisonment 

Prosecutor seeks prison term for ETHA journalists

Pınar Gayıp and Semiha Şahin are charged with “membership in a terrorist group” and “terrorism propaganda”

Osman Kavala remains behind bars in Gezi Trial

Istanbul court rejected all requests from defense lawyers to discuss further evidence and told the defendants to prepare their final defense statements until 22 April

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 337

Journalist and author Zekine Türkeri convicted; Constitutional Court rules against advertising ban; police file complaint against Şebnem Korur Fincancı for attending YouTube show

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 336

Sedef Kabaş convicted of “insulting the president”, released from prison; journalist Sultan Eylem Keleş given prison term in trial she did not attend; Ahmet Kanbal acquitted, faces new probe

Journalist Sedef Kabaş convicted, released from prison after 49 days in detention

The court sentenced Kabaş to 2 years and 4 months in prison for “insulting the president” but ruled for her release from detention on account of the time she already served

Prosecutor seeks aggravated life sentence for Osman Kavala in Gezi Trial

The prosecutor submitted his final opinion on the case, asking the court to sentence Kavala and Mücella Yapıcı to aggravated life sentences for “attempting to overthrow the government”

Former Taraf journalists sentenced to 23 years in prison

Court sentenced jailed reporter Mehmet Baransu to 13 years in prison; former executives Ahmet Altan, Yasemin Çongar and Yıldıray Oğur were each given 3 years and 4 months

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