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 – 558

Yıldız Tar jailed ahead of NATO summit; Evrensel's Doğa Baskan jailed; RTÜK imposes fines on Halk TV and Koza TV; case against Furkan Karabay and Faruk Eren dismissed

JOINT LETTER: Rights organizations call on NATO to raise concern over accreditation denials

P24 and 14 other rights organizations, has written to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to raise urgent concerns about the denial of accreditation to independent media in Türkiye

Court decides to maintain international travel ban on Yıldız Tar

The court, which rejected Tar’s lawyers’ requests to have the judicial supervision measures lifted, adjourned the case until 24 November

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 557

İsmail Arı’s press card revoked; case filed against Barış Terkoğlu; international travel ban imposed on Timur Soykan lifted

Trial of journalist Abdurrahman Gök adjourned until September

The court panel has decided to await the outcome of Gök’s case pending before the Court of Cassation 

File referred to prosecutor's office for final opinion to be drafted in "expert S.B." case

The trial of journalists Barış Pehlivan, Suat Toktaş, Seda Selek, Kürşad Oğuz and Serhan Asker has been adjourned until 20 November 2026

Freedom of Expression and the Press in Turkey – 556

RTÜK imposes fine on SÖZCÜ TV and Halk TV; Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu targets Halk TV; Nefes reporter acquitted; Esra Solin Dal and Mehmet Aslan acquitted, Erdoğan Alayumat given jail term

Journalist Nisanur Yıldırım acquitted

Nisanur Yıldırım, who was on trial for “insulting a public official” over a news report, has been acquitted

Court acquits Esra Solin Dal and Mehmet Aslan, yet sentences Erdoğan Alayumat to prison

The court has sentenced Erdoğan Alayumat to 1 year and 3 months in prison for "terrorism propaganda," and deferred the sentence

Journalist İsmail Arı released after 75 days in detention

The court, which ordered the release of Arı, also accepted the request to gather evidence deemed to be missing. The trial has been adjourned until 9 October

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