Gürcihan, who was jailed on 1 July over a social media post concerning Berat Albayrak, has been released subject to an international travel ban

EYLEM SONBAHAR, ISTANBUL

The first hearing in the trial of imprisoned journalist Fatma Sibel Gürcihan on charges of “publicly spreading false information” over a social media post concerning former Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak, was held at the Anadolu 78th Criminal Court of First Instance on 4 August 2026.

Gürcihan, who was brought from the Marmara Women’s Closed Prison where she is being held, was present in the courtroom under the escort of the gendarmerie. Gürcihan’s family also attended the hearing, which was monitored by P24.

After her identity was verified, Gürcihan began her defense, stating the following: “I am a journalist who obtained my press card 26 years ago. I posted a tweet on 30 June; the content of this post is accurate. Berat Albayrak is a former minister who, after stepping down seven years ago, was not seen on the political scene again. Journalists also receive information from behind the scenes; like my fellow journalists, I had heard of Albayrak’s desire to return to politics. Around eight years ago, there were rumors of a family dispute and that Berat Albayrak had been assaulted, and reports were published on these matters. After hearing the news that he wished to return to politics, I recalled this information and shared what I remembered about the incident. The criteria for determining the accuracy of news in journalism differ from those in the legal system. When we obtain a piece of information, we first attempt to contact the parties involved in order to verify it. The behind-the-scenes information we obtain is also something we assess to establish its accuracy. I shared what I did believing it to be true.”

Referring to the indictment, Gürcihan added, “The prosecutor claims there is no evidence to corroborate what I wrote. Nor has the prosecution been able to prove that this is incorrect. If this report were false, it would have been possible to bring a case against me and pursue the matter through the legal channels; yet no such case has been brought. I also have objections regarding the form of the indictment. There is a statement in the indictment suggesting that there would be attacks on schools. However, this is entirely due to the use of the ‘copy-and-paste’ method. My defenses were also included in the indictment without being properly examined. It would be contrary to the law for me to be punished on the basis of this careless and unsubstantiated indictment,” and requested that a decision be made to release him.

Following Gürcihan, lawyer Çağrı Çetin stated that he would make a statement after the prosecutor had spoken.

The prosecutor requested that Gürcihan’s detention be continued, stating: “Taking into account the nature and characteristics of the alleged offense, the penalty prescribed by law, and the period the defendant has spent in custody.”

Çetin, one of Gürcihan’s lawyers, said, “My client has a child. Taking into account the time spent in custody and the fact that the evidence has been gathered, we request that a decision be made to release my client.” Lawyer Gamze Nur Sancılı, who argued that the material and moral elements of the offense had not been established, also requested a decision to release her.

The court ordered Fatma Sibel Gürcihan’s release, subject to an international travel ban, and adjourned the case until 22 October 2026.

Background of the case

Journalist Fatma Sibel Gürcihan was detained and subsequently imprisoned pending trial on 1 July 2026 following a social media post concerning Berat Albayrak, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s son-in-law and former Minister of Treasury and Finance.

Following her arrest, an indictment was drawn up against Gürcihan on 6 July by the Press Offenses Investigation Bureau of the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The indictment stated that the description section of a video shared from an X account named “Gizli Arşiv” contained the following statement: “Mr. Berat Albayrak: They call me ‘son-in-law’ to belittle me. Yet, for me, being the son-in-law of one of the most important leaders in Turkish-Islamic history is an honor.”

It was also noted that Gürcihan had quoted this video, writing: “They dragged you out of the garden of the villa in Kısıklı and beat you up, sir. Even your security officer, who was trying to do his job, was on the receiving end of kicks and punches. What sort of ‘cause’ is this, if I may ask? Must you really be strangled like Damat İbrahim Pasha to accept that you have been disowned by your family?”

The Anadolu 78th Criminal Court of First Instance, which accepted the indictment, held a preliminary hearing on 7 July and ruled that Gürcihan’s detention should continue on the grounds that judicial supervision would be insufficient. It also decided that the first hearing would take place on 4 August