Murat Ağırel and İsmail Arı threatened; Dilruba Kayserilioğlu given jail term; Mehmet Güleş acquitted at first hearing; RTÜK President Şahin issues statement on “street interviews”

Journalists Murat Ağırel and İsmail Arı threatened

On 4 September, BirGün newspaper reporter İsmail Arı posted on his X account that members of the Menzil Community threatened him on social media because of his book “Menzil'in Kasası.” 

Arı wrote, “I have been threatened by members of the Menzil Community for a long time. They want to have my book confiscated and destroyed, and they are threatening me. If something happens to me, the public prosecutors who ignore my complaints are responsible.”

Eyüp Topal and Kemal Tığlı, members of the Association of All Industrialists and Businessmen (TÜMSİAD), filed a criminal complaint against İsmail Arı, Tekin Publishing's Editor-in-Chief Elif Akkaya and the book's editor Ayşegül Çakan. Akkaya was summoned to the police station and informed that an investigation was being carried out into the book and that the editor and the author of the book were also involved in the investigation. Akkaya was asked questions about the publication of the book and İsmail Arı's identity information. 

On 3 September, Cumhuriyet newspaper writer Murat Ağırel posted on his X account that a person wearing a black mask video recording said that a tender has been opened for his execution. “In the video, it is clearly stated that a tender has been opened for my murder, and my execution order has been given,” Ağırel said. Izmir Police Headquarters announced that two suspects were detained in connection with the incident. 

Dilruba Kayserilioğlu sentenced to prison; new indictment filed

The first hearing in the trial of Dilruba Kayserilioğlu, who was charged with “inciting the public to hatred and enmity” and “insulting a section of the society” based on her words in a street interview in İzmir, was held on 3 September 2024 at the Izmir 35th Criminal Court of First Instance. 

Kayserilioğlu and her lawyer Hüseyin Yıldız were present at the hearing. 

The hearing started with the reading of the indictment and the judge asked, “Did you make the speeches I read?” Kayserilioğlu said, “I made personal criticisms and did not target and section of the society. They are within the scope of freedom of thought.” 

The court acquitted Kayserilioğlu of “inciting the public to hatred and enmity” and sentenced him to 7 months and 15 days for “insulting a section of the society.” The court decided to defer the sentence. 

On the other hand, İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Kayserilioğlu, this time on charges of “insulting the president.”

On 12 August, Kayserilioğlu was imprisoned pending trial on charges of “inciting people to hatred and enmity” and “insulting thepPresident” and was released on 29 August. 

RTÜK President Ebubekir Şahin issues statement on "street interviews"

Ebubekir Şahin, President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), was a guest on the program “Sorgusuz Sualsiz” hosted by Armağan Çağlayan on Ekol TV on 1 September 2024.

Stating that they had “warned” street interviews through the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) and YouTube, and that they would now “impose regulation” on street interviews, Şahin said, “We have the authority to control all broadcasts. A perception is being created as if the state is helpless. It will be prohibited to slander or give false information or information of questionable accuracy.” 

Stating that they are working on YouTube, Şahin said, “We are not trying to shut it down, but to streamline it. We have not intervened in any content on YouTube until today. Those who make news and programs on YouTube will have to get a license from RTÜK. This will be given for a small amount. The license period is 10 years. Regular payments will be made every year.”

Furkan Karabay to appear in court on charge of “insulting the president”

A lawsuit was filed against journalist Furkan Karabay on the charge of “insulting the President” through his social media posts. 

The indictment of İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office dated 24 January 2024 was admitted by İstanbul 74th Criminal Court of First Instance. 

Karabay's first hearing will be held on 3 October 2024.

Mehmet Güleş acquitted in the first hearing

The first hearing in the trial of journalist Mehmet Güleş on the charge of “terrorism propaganda” through his social media posts was held on 5 September 2024 at the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court.

Güleş and his lawyer Resul Temur were present at the hearing. 

Güleş stated in his defense that all of the posts were news items published by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), where he works. 

The prosecutor delivered his final opinion on the case and requested Güleş to be sentenced on the impugned crime. 

After a recess, the court ruled that “the legal elements of the crime have not formed” and acquitted Güleş.

Osman Akın and Veysi Sarısözen's trial adjourned until March 2025

The 17th hearing in the trial of Yeni Yaşam daily Managing Editor Osman Akın and columnist Veysi Sarısözen on the charge of “terrorism propaganda” was held on 5 September 2024 at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court.

Lawyers submitted excuse not to attend. 

The court decided to await the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Sarısözen and adjourned the trial to 4 March 2025.

Burhan Ekinci's trial adjourned until December

The 11th hearing in the trial of journalist Burhan Ekinci on the charge of “terrorism propaganda” over his social media posts was held on at the İstanbul 30th High Criminal Court on 3 September 2024.

Ekinci's lawyer did not attend the hearing, which was monitored by P24.

The court decided to await the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Ekinci and adjourned the trial until 24 December 2024. 

At least 25 journalists and media workers in prison

As of 6 September 2024 there are at least 25 journalists and media workers in prison in Turkey, either in pre-trial detention or serving a finalized prison sentence.

The full list can be accessed here.