Journalists Fatih Altaylı and Metin Yoksu jailed; RTÜK imposes 10-day broadcasting ban on Halk TV; top court rules for “rights violation” in Hayko Bağdat case; Züleyha Müldür released pending trial

Journalist Fatih Altaylı jailed for “threatening the president”

Journalist Fatih Altaylı was imprisoned pending trial on 22 June as part of an investigation launched on suspicion of “threatening the president” over statements he made on his YouTube channel.

Altaylı was taken into custody on 21 June as part of an investigation initiated by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

In the video subject to the investigation, Altaylı had said, "Should President Erdoğan remain president for life? Seventy percent of the people are against it. This percentage is not very surprising. Because, apart from a significant portion of AKP voters and a portion of MHP voters, no one supports such an idea. This nation is a nation that has strangled its sultans in the past. When they did not like something, when they did not want something... There are many Ottoman sultans who were strangled, assassinated, or allegedly committed suicide."

On the other hand, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) decided to require Altaylı's YouTube channel to obtain a license on 23 June. If the license is not obtained, the channel will be blocked. A fee of TL 926,000 must be paid to obtain the license, and once obtained, the channel will come under RTÜK control.

Metin Yoksu jailed as part of Artvin-based investigation

Journalist Metin Yoksu has been imprisoned pending trial on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” as part of an investigation launched in Artvin.

Yoksu, who went to the Batman Courthouse on 26 June to give his statement as part of the investigation, was referred to court with a request for pre-trial detention. The court decided to send Yoksu to pre-trial detention.

 

As part of the same investigation, journalists Yavuz Akengin, Eylem Yılmaz, Semra Pelek, Dicle Baştürk, sendika.org employee Ozan Cırık, and Melisa Efe, who works as a translator for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, were detained on 13 June in police raids on their homes. Yoksu's home was also raided, but he was not detained as he was not at home.

 

Akengin, Yılmaz, Baştürk, and Cırık were imprisoned pending trial on 17 June on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization.”

 

RTÜK imposes 10-day broadcasting ban on Halk TV

 

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) decided to impose penalties on numerous opposition channels, such as Halk TV, Tele 1, and Sözcü TV, at its meeting on 26 June.

 

RTÜK imposed a 10-day broadcasting ban on Halk TV over the statements made by Nuclear Engineer Tolga Yarman during the program “Sinem Fıstıkoğlu ile Sansürsüz,” (Uncensored with Fıstıkoğlu) where he stated, “Turkey is not becoming more religious but more sectarian,” and “If we look at it from the moment the name of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge was given, we were instigated against Iran.” The decision was made by a majority vote.

 

On the same program, CHP MP for İstanbul Yunus Emre's criticisms of Mehmet Uçum led to a ruling that the program “failed to respect human dignity and the privacy of private life, and used derogatory statements beyond the bounds of criticism against individuals or institutions.” As a result, Halk TV was fined 3 percent of its revenue.

 

Sözcü TV was also fined 3 percent for Senem Toluay llgaz's program “Before and After the Night,” in which guest Türker Ertürk used the phrase “acting as a proxy for imperialism” in reference to the government, on the grounds that “human dignity and the privacy of private life were not respected, and individuals or organizations were disparaged beyond the bounds of criticism.” RTÜK imposed a 3 percent administrative fine on Sözcü TV.

 

RTÜK also imposed a 3 percent administrative fine on Tele 1 for criticizing the news report titled “Ferdi Zeyrek Çarpıldı” (Ferdi Zeyrek was Electrocuted) published by pro-government Akit newspaper about the death of Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, who died after being electrocuted at his home, on the grounds that it contained “insulting statements that go beyond the bounds of criticism against individuals or organizations.”

 

Meanwhile, RTÜK decided to remove the access block to DW Türkçe. In this context, RTÜK decided to remove the access block to the websites “http://dwturkce.com,” “http://dw.com,” and “http://inspiredminds.de,” as the content that served as the basis for the ban had been removed.

Constitutional Court rules for “rights violation” in Hayko Bağdat case

 

The Constitutional Court ruled that the fine imposed on journalist/writer Hayko Bağdat for sharing an interview with the general manager of a bank was a violation of freedom of expression.

 

In August 2018, Bağdat was charged with “insult” for his comment “What is it to you, you crazy person” in response to a bank manager's interview in which the manager said, “People who do not earn income in dollars or euros should not deal with foreign currency” and remarked that an ordinary citizen should not have any business with foreign currency. The İstanbul 55th Criminal Court of First Instance had sentenced Bağdat to a fine of TL 1,740 for the alleged offense.

 

The MLSA Legal Unit filed an individual application with the Constitutional Court against the fine, claiming that Bağdat's freedom of expression and press freedom had been violated and requesting a retrial.

 

The Constitutional Court ruled on the application on 29 April 2025, finding that Bağdat's freedom of the press and expression had been violated. The court ordered the payment of moral damages to Bağdat and referred the case back to the first instance court for a retrial.

Journalist Altan Sancar to stand trial for “spreading false information”

A lawsuit has been filed against journalist Altan Sancar for “spreading false information” over his social media post stating, “There are rumors about the CHP to be placed under trusteeship.”

The case against Sancar, who shared posts on social media about the lawsuits filed in connection with the 38th Ordinary Congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP) held on 4-5 November 2023, will be heard at the Ankara 27th Criminal Court of First Instance.

Arrest warrant issued for journalist Nedim Türfent

 

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Yüksekova, Hakkari, has issued an arrest warrant for journalist Nedim Türfent on the charge of “terrorism propaganda.”

 

Türfent, who is currently in Germany as part of an international freedom of expression organization's guest writer program, is accused of news-related posts and retweets made at different times on his X account.

 

Türfent had remained behind bars for 6 years and 7 months from 12 May 2016 to 29 November 2022.

MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli targets journalists

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli issued a written statement on 23 June regarding the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and the role of the United States in the region. In the statement, Bahçeli also directed sharp criticism at journalists and intellectuals, accusing them of fueling domestic tension during a time of international crisis.

“It is my advice and wish that certain so-called journalists, half-baked intellectuals, and degenerate experts, who violate the boundaries of freedom of expression and thought, and who have made hatred a permanent fixture in their souls, inserting it like a bomb into their words and commentary at every opportunity, do not forget that Turkey is a state governed by the rule of law.”

Referring implicitly to the recent imprisonment of journalist Fatih Altaylı, though without naming him, Bahçeli added: “No one is untouchable. Those who cite historical examples to make contemporary allusions, and those who engage in intolerably threatening speech, must understand that Turkey is not a place where anyone can come and go as they please.”

Bahçeli concluded by implying that those who provoke polarizing public debates during times of geopolitical volatility do so with ill intent. “While we are surrounded by fire on all sides, it is clear that those dragging our country into endless and nerve-racking controversies cannot be acting in good faith,” he said.

Journalists Mehmet Uçar and Bilge Aksu to appear in court in early July

The first hearings in the trials of journalists Mehmet Uçar and Bilge Aksu, both arrested as part of a terrorism-related investigation launched in Eskişehir, are set to take place in early July.

Uçar, who was taken into custody on 26 November 2024 and later imprisoned on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization,” is scheduled to appear before the Batman 2nd High Criminal Court on 8 July 2025. The court set the hearing date after formally accepting the indictment.

Bilge Aksu, who was arrested under the same investigation, will stand trial at the İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court. His first hearing is set for 3 July 2025 following the court’s approval of the indictment.

Uçar and Aksu were among eight journalists detained on 26 November 2024 as part of an investigation initiated by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Both were later imprisoned pending trial.

After the Eskişehir 2nd High Criminal Court accepted the indictment, it ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the case. The files of the two journalists were subsequently transferred to courts in the cities where they had been detained.

The indictment against Uçar and Aksu cites their journalism work, social media posts, and copyright payments received from the media outlets they worked for as elements of the alleged offense.

MA reporter Zeynep Durgut threatened over her reporting

Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut was threatened by the family of the leader of a prostitution ring over her reporting on the ring in Şırnak in 2013.

Durgut was called by relatives of the perpetrator mentioned in the case file. During the call, she was threatened with statements such as, “We know who you are. We know where you came from. I have investigated you. You are coming here to stir things up. We will not leave you alone. This will not go unpunished.”

Durgut will file a criminal complaint regarding the threats she has received.

Berivan Kutlu to stand trial on the charge of “terrorism propaganda”

An indictment has been filed against journalist Berivan Kutlu over her television broadcasts from the region following the Kahramanmaraş-based earthquake on 6 February 2023.

The indictment, filed by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on the charge of “terrorism propaganda,” was accepted by the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court. The first hearing will be held on 16 October 2025.

The indictment cites Kutlu's statement during the broadcast, “This is not a proper search and rescue operation; they are covering up evidence. Village guards from Şırnak are pushing people away. They have left people to die,” as grounds for the charges. The indictment also includes posts shared by Berivan Kutlu on her X account.

Decisions not to prosecute journalist Rabia Önver issued in two investigations

Hakkari Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has decided not to prosecute Rabia Önver, a reporter for JinNews, who was investigated by the on the charge of “spreading false information” over her reports on the spread of prostitution and drug use in Hakkari.

The prosecutor's office closed the case, stating that Önver's reports should be considered within the scope of freedom of the press.

Another investigation launched against Önver over social media posts on the suspicion of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” was also dismissed. The decision by the Yüksekova Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the posts should be considered “within the scope of freedom of thought and expression.” Önver's posts regarding police violence following the appointment of a trustee to Batman Municipality, as well as some news posts, were the subject of the allegations.

Buse Söğütlü's trial adjourned

 

The third hearing in the trial of journalist Buse Söğütlğü, who was detained while covering the 21st Feminist Night March, and four other defendants on charges of “insult,” “resisting the execution of duty” and “violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” was held at the İstanbul 10th Criminal Court of First Instance on 26 June 2025.

The case was adjourned until 20 January 2026 due to the judge's absence.

ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür released pending trial

A court in İstanbul ordered the release of Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Züleyha Müldür pending trial at the end of the first hearing.

The hearing, held on 25 June 2025 at the İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court, concerned Müldür and two other defendants, all charged with “membership in a terrorist organization.”

The court imposed an international travel ban on Müldür and ordered her to report to a police station once a week as a judicial control measure. The other two defendants were ordered to remain in pre-trial detention.

The trial was adjourned to 18 September 2025.

Müldür had been arrested during a police raid on 25 January 2025 targeting members of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), the Socialist Women's Assemblies (SKM), and the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), and was imprisoned pending trial on the same charge.

İdris Yılmaz's case file sent to the prosecutor's office for final opinion to be filed

The second hearing in the retrial of journalist İdris Yılmaz, whose sentence for “insult” was overturned by the Court of Cassation, was held at the Erciş 1st Criminal Court of First Instance on 25 June 2025.

Yılmaz attended the hearing alongside his lawyer Hazal Sümeli via the judicial videoconferencing system (SEGBİS) from the courtroom of the İstanbul 47th Criminal Court of First Instance.

In his defense, Yılmaz said, “As journalists, we inform the public about news. I had gone to the scene for a news story, and without any warning, I was attacked by the police. Another police officer was recording the incident. If those recordings are examined, it will be clear that I did not insult anyone, but rather that I was the one who was insulted. I demand my acquittal.”

Lawyer Sümeli, who said she would present a detailed defense after the prosecutor announced their final opinion on the case, requested that the footage of the incident be included in the case file. The court rejected the request.

The court decided to send the case file to the prosecutor's office for the final opinion on the case to be filed and adjourned the trial until 3 September 2025.

Derya Ren acquitted of “insulting a public official”

 

A court in Gaziantep has acquitted JinNews reporter Derya Ren, who had been on trial for allegedly insulting policeofficers during her detention on the way to cover a news story.

 

The acquittal verdict came at the end of the second hearing in Ren’s trial on the charge of “insulting a public official,” which was held on 24 June 2025 at the Nizip 5th Criminal Court of First Instance.

 

The prosecutor reiterated their previous opinion and requested a conviction. However, the court ruled for Ren’s acquittal, stating that the legal elements of the offense of “publicly insulting a public official” had not been established.

 

Ren had been detained on 7 January in Gaziantep’s Nizip district on grounds of “reasonable suspicion” while en route to report on a news story.

 

At least 31 journalists and media workers in prison

Following the imprisonment of journalists Fatih Altaylı and Metin Yoksu, and release of Züleyha Müldür, as of 27 June 2025, there are at least 31 journalists and media workers in pre-trial detention or imprisonment in Turkey.

The full list can be accessed here.