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.
"Agents of influence" bill brought to parliament; Açık Radyo shuttered; 3 journalists detained in Şırnak during news coverage; Şebnem Korur Fincancı sentenced to pay non-pecuniary damages; Ahmet Erkan Yiğitsözlü given jail term
Bill on "agents of influence" brought to parliamentery agenda
The proposal, which is known as "agents of influence," in the public, filed by the AKP, is brought to parliamentary agenda with an article added to the law draft on the amendment of the Notary Public Law and some other laws on 18 October.
Article 16 of the bill introduces a new crime in the Turkish Penal Code in order to "combat espionage more effectively."
In the information note on the proposal, it is regulated that “Those who commit crimes against the security of the state and its domestic or foreign political interests in line with the strategic interests or instructions of a foreign state or organization will be punished with imprisonment from three to seven years. Thus, apart from the provision or disclosure of documents and information, committing a crime for the purpose of espionage is also regulated as a separate crime and it is aimed to combat espionage activities more effectively. In case the act was committed during wartime or that it endangered the State's war preparations or war activity or military movements, the penalty will be aggravated.
The bill first came to the public agenda in recent months. The bill was expected to be submitted to the Parliament as part of the 9th Judicial Package before the Parliament went into recess, but AKP Parliamentary Group Deputy President Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu in his statement in June argued that the article on “agents of influence” had never been a part of the 9th Judicial Package. Akbaşoğlu said, “This proposal contains no provisions concerning the Law 6284.” Akbaşoğlu added that they would continue working on the 9th Judicial Package after the Eid holiday and that the proposal concerning the package would be submitted to the parliamentary speaker’s office after the holiday.
Click here for our detailed analysis of the bill.
Click here for our online panel about the bill.
Açık Radyo shuttered
Açık Radyo was shut down on 16 October following a judicial process initiated upon a complaint filed by the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).
On the other hand, 61 rights organizations including P24 issued a joint statement on 18 October, calling on RTÜK to reverse its decision to revoke its broadcasting license.
In its decision on 22 May 2024, RTÜK had issued an administrative fine to Açık Radyo, as well as the suspension of the broadcast of the Açık Gazete program for five days, from 10 June through 14 June 2024 after a guest spoke of "Armenian genocide." In a subsequent decision on 3 July 2024, RTÜK stated that while Açık Radyo had received the notice for broadcast suspension on 31 May 2024, it had continued its broadcasts and thereby violated article 32 of the Law 6112 and revoked Açık Radyo’s broadcast license for not abiding by the broadcast suspension penalty.
Following an appeal by Açık Radyo against the original decision to fine Açık Radyo and suspend its broadcast, the Ankara 21st Administrative Court issued a stay of execution for RTÜK penalties. Afterwards, RTÜK appealed the decision of “stay of execution.” In its August 1 ruling, the Ankara Regional 10th Administrative Court stated that the "stay of execution" ordered by the Ankara 21st Administrative Court against the RTÜK decision to fine Açık Radyo and suspend its broadcasting was "not contrary to the law.”
Açık Radyo said in the statement posted on their website on 11 October that they were officially notified of RTÜK’s 3 July decision after the Ankara 21st Administrative Court issued a new ruling on 27 September, this time rejecting the station’s motion requesting the stay of execution of the RTÜK decision.
3 journalists detained during news coverage in Şırnak
Soldiers intervened in the “ Savaşa hayır barış hemen şimdi" (No to war, peace right now) demonstration in Silopi district of Şırnak and detained three journalists and several Peace Mothers.
Soldiers detained Mezopotamia Agency (MA) reporters Zeynep Durgut and Mahmut Altıntaş and JinNews reporter Derya Ren.
The detainees were reportedly battered.
ETHA editor Pınar Gayıp briefly detained
Etkin News Agency (ETHA) editor Pınar Gayıp was detained on 14 October upon a criminal complaint filed by lawyer Sezgin Keleş, who was sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2022 for “sexual assault” against an intern.
Gayıp had gone to Kocamustafapasa Şehit Sinan Acar Police Station to give a statement regarding another criminal complaint filed by Keleş. Gayıp was detained at the station on the grounds that there was a warrant for her detention. The journalist was taken to the Anadolu Courthouse after a health check.
Gayıp was released the same day.
Detained DFG executive Serhıldan Andan released
Fifteen people, including Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) Executive Board member Serhıldan Andan, who were detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on 11 Octobe, were released on 14 October.
Fifteen people who were detained as part of an investigation launched by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office following a tip-off about an alleged protest against a rally to be held in Diyarbakır on 13 October were released after giving their statements at Diyarbakır Security Directorate.
Öznur Değer faces investigation for "marking those assigned with the fight against terrorism as targets"
An investigation has been launched against JinNews News Director Öznur Değer over her news article titled “Nisêbîn’deki işkence faili komutan Kamil Aksoy hakkında suç duyurusu” (Criminal complaint against commander Kamil Aksoy, perpetrator of torture in Nisêbîn) published on 16 July 2024.
The file of the investigation launched by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office upon Aksoy's complaint on thegrounds of “marking those assigned wit the fight against terrorism as targets” was sent to the Diyarbakır Chief PublicProsecutor's Office.
Öznur Değer gave statement on 14October at Diyarbakır Anti-Terror Directorate (TEM).
Click here to read details of the article.
Non-prosecution decision for Oktay Candemir over social media post about the trustee
An investigation was launched against journalist Oktay Candemir on the charge of “spreading false information” over his posts on his X account about İhsan Emre Aydın, the district governor and trustee of İpekyolu Municipality in Van province. In his social media post dated 2 March 2023, Candemir had written that Aydın, who is both a district governor and a trustee, received salaries from multiple places.
Candemir had written as follows in his post: “İhsan Emre Aydın, whose salary as district governor is TL 40,000, receives a salary of TL 60,000 from the municipality as İpekyolu trustee. Aydın also receives TL 40,000 as the president of two companies affiliated with the municipality and TL 10,000 as attendance fee from the parliament. Thus, he receives a salary of TL 150,000 in total.” Following the post, Van Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation against three X users who commented under the post and journalist Candemir for “spreading false information.”
Click here to read details of the article.
Former lawyer of President Erdoğan sues Birgün daily and İsmail Arı for compensation
Mustafa Doğan İnal, former lawyer of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, filed a lawsuit against BirGün newspaper and its reporter İsmail Arı for TL 100,000 in damages.
İnal claimed that he was subjected to “reputation assassination” with the news article published in BirGün on 24 September 2024 with the headline "Bağırıp çağırdığı öğretmen ölüyordu!" (The teacher he shouted at was dying!”)
In his petition to the İstanbul Civil Court of First Instance on duty through his lawyer Ferah Yıldız, İnal claimed that he was “publicly humiliated and targeted in the eyes of the public."
The news article cited as grounds for compensation case stated, “A female teacher who was scolded by Erdoğan's former lawyer İnal's cousin Necla İnal, a school principal, collapsed and was hospitalized. The school administration did not even call an ambulance for the teacher, and the Ministry of National Education launched an investigation.”
Investigation against Oktay Candemir for “violating the privacy of private life”
An investigation has been launched against journalist Oktay Candemir on the charge of “violating the privacy of private life” over his news reports and social media posts about Ferman Yıldırım, a mayoral candidate of the AKP in Van's Çaldıran district.
On 30 March 2024, Candemir had posted on his X account, “The AKP candidate for mayor of Çaldıran will not be able to vote in Çaldıran in the March 31 elections because he still has not changed his residence in Antalya and will not vote for himself.”
As part of the investigation carried out upon Ferman Yıldırım's complaint, Candemir went to the 2 Nisan Police Station and gave a statement.
Journalist Can Dündar’s trial adjourned until January 2025
The 10th hearing in the trial of Can Dündar, former editor-in-chief of the Cumhuriyet newspaper, on charges of “obtaining information that due to its content must be kept confidential for the security of the state or its internal and external interests for political or military espionage purposes” and "aiding a terrorist organization" over the news item “National Intelligence Organization Trucks Sent to Syria” that appeared in Cumhuriyet on 29 May 2015 was held at the İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court on 17 October 2024.
Dündar and his lawyer did not attend the hearing.
The court decided to await the execution of the order for Dündar’s arrest and the fulfilment of the request for his extradition from abroad and adjourned the trial until 16 January 2025.
Şebnem Korur Fincancı sentenced to pay non-pecuniary damages to the Ministry of National Defense
The sixth hearing in the compensation case brought against former Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council President Şebnem Korur Fincancı upon the complaint of the Ministry of National Defense was held at the Ankara 2nd Civil Court of First Instance on 17 October 2024.
Fincancı's lawyer Meriç Eyüboğlu took the floor first at the hearing and began her defense by underlining that her client's statements, which were cited as grounds for the accusation, were a scientific evaluation. Stating that Fincancı exercised her right under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Eyüboğlu said, “There is nothing controversial about a scientist expressing an opinion and criticizing in her field of expertise. By looking at the digital data, the client stated that toxic gases may have been used and that independent committees should conduct an on-site investigation. This is not a diagnosis but a preliminary diagnosis. There is no situation here that requires moral compensation.”
Lawyer Hülya Yıldırım, in her defense, pointed out that legal entities have the right to personality but do not have the right to “feel pain and anguish” and said that the Ministry of National Defense cannot claim non-pecuniary damages, but can resort to other legal remedies.
After the defenses of the lawyers, the parties were asked for the last words and the court sentenced Şebnem Korur Fincancı to pay TL 50,000 in non-pecuniary damages to the Ministry of National Defense.
Korur Fincancı was on trial over her televised remarks on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Turkish Armed Forces during a live broadcast of Medya Haber.
Emre Orman handed jail term
The third hearing in the trial of journalist Emre Orman on the charge of “resisting police officers to prevent them from doing their duty” was held at the Anadolu 20th Criminal Court of First Instance on 17 October 2024.
Orman was sentenced to 5 months in prison at the end of the hearing. The court converted the prison sentence to a judicial fine.
Final hearing in trial of 12 defendants to be held in January in Hrant Dink murder case
The 10th hearing in the trial of 12 defendants in the Dink murder case, including five police officers, on charges of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order” and “committing crimes on behalf of an illegal organization” was held at the İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court on 16 October 2024.
Imprisoned defendants Ali Fuat Yılmazer, Ramazan Akyürek, Yasin Hayal, Erhan Tuncel, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz and Tuncay Uzundal attended the hearing via the judicial videoconferencing system (SEGBİS) from their prisons, while defendants Ersin Yolçu, Ogün Samast and Adem Sağlam attended the hearing via SEGBİS from their cities of residence. P24 monitored the hearing.
The prosecutor, repeating their final opinion presented in the previous hearing, requested that the charge of “committing a crime on behalf of an organization” against the instigators Ahmet İskender, Erhan Tuncel, Yasin Hayal, Tuncay Uzundal, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz and Ersin Yolçu and the shooter Ogün Samast be dropped due to the statute of limitations. The prosecutor requested the acquittal of Adem Sağlam, the then Trabzon Anti-Terror branch directorate officer, on charges of “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order,” “intentional killing with negligence” and “intentional killing,” and his punishment on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization.” The prosecutor also requested that Ali Fuat Yılmazer and Ramazan Akyürek, the police chiefs at the time, be sentenced for “attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.”
Hülya Deveci, one of the lawyers of the Dink family, said that the acquittal of those who were responsible for the murder, the rejection of all requests, misleading of official institutions, legal errors, limited trial of the shooters and the request for dismissal due to statute of limitations by spreading the trial over time did not reveal the concrete reality and therefore they did not agree with the final opinion.
Erhan Tuncel, the instigator, stated that although he conveyed the information that Dink would be murdered to the security authorities, the murder was not prevented and claimed that he was conspired against: “I submitted a report on the preparations for the murder and asked to leave, saying that I could not prevent Yasin. Engin Dinç, the then Trabzon Provincial Police Intelligence Branch Director, asked me to stay on duty and said 'we will take precautions and prevent the assassination, you continue.' Trabzon police protected Yasin Hayal. Although Engin Dinç warned Ahmet İlhan Güler, the then Istanbul Police Intelligence Branch Director, the protection directive was not implemented. İstanbul and Trabzon police as well as Trabzon gendarmerie acted jointly and the material truth was covered up. Intelligence bureau used young people for years. Those who had me arrested should know that I am neither Çatlı nor Yeşil. They will be held to account for all this.”
Tuncel's lawyer stated that the elements of the impugned crime did not form and demanded acquittal.
Tuncay Uzundal, who was imprisoned pending trial on another offense, said, “I was Erhan Tuncel's roommate. I have no connection to the incident. I demand my acquittal.” Uzundal's lawyer also stated that his client had no connection to the incident and demanded acquittal.
Adem Sağlam and Ersin Yolçu, the defendants free pending trial, and Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, the imprisoned defendant, stated that they had nothing to do with “FETÖ” and demanded their acquittal.
Shooter Ogün Samast also stated that he was not a member of FETÖ and demanded his acquittal. Samast's lawyer stated that they agreed with the final opinion and that the case is subject to statute of limitations.
The presiding judge said that the defense of Ali Fuat Yılmazer, who was the Director of Section C of the Intelligence Department at the time, would not be taken this hearing due to the absence of a lawyer. Giving Yılmazer time until the next hearing, the presiding judge said that in the absence of a lawyer, Yılmazer would be assigned a lawyer from CMK.
Ramazan Akyürek, then Trabzon Provincial Police Chief, said, “I have submitted my statement in writing, I have nothing to add. I demand my acquittal.” Akyürek's lawyer stated that his client was the head of the Intelligence Department at the time of the murder and argued that Trabzon police, Trabzon gendarmerie and İstanbul police were responsible for the murder. Akyürek's lawyer completed his defense by demanding acquittal.
The presiding judge asked the instigator Yasin Hayal what he had to say against the final opinion. Hayal said, “I have nothing to say.” Hayal's lawyer demanded acquittal.
The court gave Ali Fuat Yılmazer and his lawyer the last time to set up a statement against the final opinion and adjourned the trial until 10 January 2025.
KHK TV reporter Ahmet Erkan Yiğitsözlü sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison
The third hearing in the trial of KHK TV reporter Ahmet Erkan Yiğitsözlü on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “violating the Law on Prevention of Financing of Terrorism” was held at the Osmaniye 2nd High Criminal Court on 15 October 2024.
Yiğitsözlü and his lawyer Günal Kurşun attended the hearing.
The prosecutor presented their final opinion on the case and demanded that Yiğitsözlü be sentenced on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization.” Lawyer Günal Kurşun repeated the defenses he made in the previous hearings and stated that his client was innocent and asked for his acquittal. Yiğitsözlü also repeated his previous statements, stating that he is a journalist and asked for his acquittal.
The court announced its verdict after a recess and sentenced Yiğitsözlü to 6 years and 3 months in prison for “membership in a terrorist organization."
Yiğitsözlü was detained on 15 November 2022 as part of the investigation launched by the Osmaniye Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “violating the law on the prevention of financing terrorism,” and was released by the Osmaniye Criminal Judicature of Peace on 17 November 2022.
"Özgür Gündem solidarity" case adjourned until January 2025
The 11th hearing in the retrial of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Turkey representative Erol Önderoğlu, rights defender and former Turkish Medical Association Central Council President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı and journalist-writer Ahmet Nesin, whose acquittals in the Özgür Gündem solidarity case were overturned by the appellate court, was held at the İstanbul 13th High Criminal Court on 15 October 2024.
Erol Önderoğlu and his lawyer were present at the hearing, which P24 monitored.
The court decided to wait for the return of the rogatory letter sent abroad for Ahmet Nesin's statement to be received.
The trial was adjourned until 30 January 2025.
Court lifts judicial control measures against Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan and Erdoğan Alayumat
The first hearing in the trial of journalists Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan and Erdoğan Alayumat on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” was held at the İstanbul 25th High Criminal Court on 15 October 2024.
Esra Solin Dal, Erdoğan Alayumat and their lawyers are present in the courtroom. Mehmet Aslan joined the hearing via the judicial videoconferencing system (SEGBİS) from the Ankara Courthouse. P24 monitored the hearing.
Mehmet Aslan in his defense statement said, “In the indictment filed against us, our news reports and professional activities are accused. Most of these news reports are based on documents. Some others are made by handing a microphone to someone else. We receive no instructions or pressure from anybody. We cover any subject we want in any way we want. There is no crime element in these news reports. We are being tried for over work that is entirely within the framework of journalistic activity.” Aslan demanded his acquittal.
Aslan's lawyer demanded the lifting of the judicial control measure banning their client from leaving Ankara.
Esra Solin Dal said, “I am on trial over my journalistic activities. Sixty-five of my news articles have been subjected to the charge. My phone conversations with women's organizations about femicides have been cited as a crime. My phone call with the family of a child with SMA disease was considered a criminal charge.” Dal demanded her acquittal.
Dal's lawyer stated that their client's actions were within the scope of freedom of the press and demanded acquittal on the grounds that element of the crime did not form.
In his defense statement, Erdoğan Alayumat said, “This accusation is brought against us because we wrote about [PKK leader] Abdullah Öcalan in our news articles. But I did not only report on Abdullah Öcalan. I wrote articles on many issues concerning Turkey's agenda. None of the news items can be subjected to an accusation. Our profession can never be criminalized.” Alayumat rejected the charges pressed against him. Alayumat demanded his acquittal.
Alayumat's lawyer said that their client was unable to attend the funeral of his father, who passed away last month, due to the judicial control measure banning him from leaving İstanbul and asked for the judicial control measure to be lifted.
The court decided to lift the judicial control measures against the journalists. Noting that there is an open investigation against Erdoğan Alayumat and Mehmet Aslan, the presiding judge decided to wait for the outcome of this investigation and adjourned the trial until 11 February 2025.
Prosecutor demands sentencing for Asuman Aranca over reporting on “Sinan Ateş murder”
The first hearing in the trial of journalist Asuman Aranca on the charge of "violating the confidentiality of the investigation” over her news article about Sinan Ateş murder was held at the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on 15 October 2024.
Asuman Aranca joined the hearing via the judicial videoconferencing system (SEGBİS) from the Ankara 52nd Criminal Court of First Instance. P24 monitored the hearing.
Aranca in her defense said, “After my news report, no action was taken that violated the presumption of innocence. The purpose of the news report was to reflect the material truth to the public. I did not violate anyone's presumption of innocence. The file came to me by mail. I was not aware that there was a restriction order on the file, I learned about it when an investigation was launched against me.”
Presenting their final opinion on the case, the prosecutor claimed that “the manner of the news report and the disclosure of the contents of the expert report, despite the lack of public interest, exceeded the limits of freedom of the press and reporting” and demanded that Aranca be sentenced for “violation of confidentiality.”
Aranca requested time to make her defense against the final opinion. The court accepted the request and adjourned the trial until 11 March 2025.
Aranca is standing trial over the news item titled “Sinan Ateş cinayeti dosyasındaki bilirkişi raporuna T24 ulaştı: Ateş'in adresini Ülkü Ocakları Başkanı istemiş!” (T24 has accessed the expert report in the Sinan Ateş murder case: Ateş's address was requested by the head of the Grey Wolves' Hearths!)
Court issues summons for rights defender Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı
The first hearing in the trial of Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, former President of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association and member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, on charges of “insulting the Turkish Nation, the State of the Republic of Turkey, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the judicial organs of the state” was held at the İstanbul 31st Criminal Court of First Instance on 14 October 2024.
Şebnem Korur Fincancı and her lawyer did not attend the hearing, which P24 monitored. Representatives of the HRFT, Amnesty International and the German Consulate also monitored the hearing.
The court issued a summons for Fincancı and adjourned the trial until 27 January 2025.
Trial of Ziya Çiçekçi adjourned
The hearing in the trial of journalist Ziya Çiçekçi on charges of “terrorism propaganda” and “praising an offense or an offender” was held at the İstanbul 23rd High Criminal Court on 14 October 2024.
Çiçekçi's lawyer did not attend the hearing with an excuse and the trial was adjourned until 17 March 2025.
At least 26 journalists and media workers in prison
As of 18 October 2024, there are at least 26 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.