Top court upholds sentence in Özgür Gündem editor case, broadens “terrorism propaganda” definition; journalist Gültekin briefly detained for allegedly “spreading false information;” judicial control measures lifted for five journalists who protested killing of colleagues in drone strike

Constitutional Court upholds sentence in Özgür Gündem editor case, broadens “terrorism propaganda” definition

Turkey’s Constitutional Court has ruled that the punishment imposed on a journalist for serving as editor-in-chief of the now-defunct daily Özgür Gündem did not constitute a violation of freedom of expression or press freedom, according to a decision published on 12 December 2025. At the same time, the court reaffirmed and expanded its interpretation of the offense of “terrorism propaganda.”

The ruling concerns an individual application filed by veteran journalist Mehmet Ragıp Duran, who was sentenced to one year and six months in prison for “spreading terrorism propaganda” over a news article published during a one-day tenure as editor-in-chief of the pro-Kurdish newspaper in 2016. That year, Özgür Gündem was facing imminent closure amid heightened tensions surrounding Kurdish militant groups. In response, dozens of journalists, academics, lawyers, and intellectuals took part in a solidarity campaign, temporarily assuming editorial responsibility for the paper. Many were later prosecuted over articles published during their single-day appointments.

Duran was held criminally liable for articles published on 16 May 2016, and his conviction was upheld on appeal. In its decision, the Constitutional Court found that holding him responsible for content published while he served as editor-in-chief did not violate his rights to freedom of expression or the press, rejecting the application as manifestly ill-founded.

The ruling was closely watched, as it was expected to set a precedent for similar cases brought against journalists and human rights defenders who participated in the solidarity campaign. In its reasoning, the court adopted a more restrictive approach to the crime of “spreading terrorism propaganda,” stating that praising members of a terrorist organization should also be considered incitement to violence. In earlier decisions, the court had limited the offense to direct praise of armed actions or explicit calls for violence. By extending the scope to include reporting or statements that “normalize” terrorist organizations, the court signaled a broader interpretation that could pave the way for new prosecutions targeting the media.

Journalist Gültekin briefly detained for allegedly “spreading false information”

Journalist Levent Gültekin was detained in the early hours of 19 December on charges of “spreading false information” over remarks he made during a broadcast on his YouTube channel.

In his statement to police, Gültekin said there was no concrete evidence identifying any misleading information in his comments. “The video consists entirely of political commentary on current events,” he said. “There is not a single sentence in which I insulted anyone by name.”

Prosecutors cited Gültekin’s remarks concerning “the lack of independence of the judiciary” and claims that “the state acts outside the law” in media-related operations as grounds for the charge.

Referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for judicial control measures, Gültekin was released under conditions that include an international travel ban and a requirement to report regularly to the authorities.

Gültekin is a prominent journalist who first rose to prominence in conservative media circles before becoming an outspoken critic of the government. In 2018, he briefly announced his candidacy for the presidency before withdrawing after ten days.

Like Fatih Altaylı, who was arrested in June, and Enver Aysever, who has been in custody since last week, Gültekin is also a well-known YouTube commentator. His channel, where he publishes interpretive political analysis, has more than 447,000 subscribers.

TV host Okan Karacan detained as GAİN Media targeted in ‘money laundering’ probe

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation on 16 December targeting GAİN Media and several affiliated companies, citing charges that include “forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes,” “illegal betting,” and “laundering the proceeds of crime.” The move places yet another media outlet under effective state control, deepening concerns over expanding government tutelage of the media sector.

Founded in 2020 by local investors, GAİN has changed hands repeatedly in recent years. It was first sold to RAMS Group in April 2023, then acquired by entrepreneur Berkin Kaya in February 2024, before being transferred back to Anahat Holding on 29 November 2025. As part of the investigation, holding and company executives Barbaros Reşat Gülcan and Selahattin Aydın, along with former owner Berkin Kaya, were detained. Renowned television host Okan Karacan, who holds an executive role, was also taken into custody. Karacan was released under judicial control while the court sent Gülcan, Aydın, and Kaya to pre-trial detention.

In a statement, the prosecutor’s office said the investigation was based on reports by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), expert assessments, confidential witness testimonies, communication records, trade registry documents, and open-source intelligence. Authorities claimed these materials indicated financial transactions “inconsistent with the normal course of commercial life.” Assets believed to have been obtained through criminal activity were seized, and the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as trustee for seven companies linked to the holding.

With GAİN now placed under trustee control, the case marks the latest instance of a media outlet falling under state supervision. It follows the earlier transfer of Habertürk, Show TV, and Bloomberg HT —previously owned by Can Holding— reinforcing a pattern in which major media organizations are increasingly brought under government oversight as a result of criminal investigations.

PİRHA reporter imprisoned pending trial

Pir News Agency (PİRHA) reporter Cihan Berk was detained during a police raid in Dersim province on 19 December.

Berk was referred to court with a request for imprisonment on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization.” Berk, who was referred to court, was imprisoned pending trial on the same charge and taken to Elazığ Prison.

Berk's computer and books were reportedly confiscated during the house raid.

Journalist briefly detained over social media posts, facing charges of “insulting the president” and “spreading false information”

Journalist Osman Çaklı announced on social media on 13 December that he had been taken into custody. His lawyer later said that the detention stemmed from Çaklı’s social media posts, citing charges of “praising an offense or an offender” and “insulting the president.”

Çaklı was taken to the Istanbul Police Headquarters, where his statement was recorded, before being transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse and referred to a judge with a request for judicial control. While being taken from the police station to the courthouse, prosecutors added a third charge, accusing him of “spreading false information.”

Çaklı was ultimately released under judicial control, including an international travel ban and a requirement to report weekly to the authorities.

Veyis Ateş gives statement as part of drug investigation

Veyis Ateş, former anchor and former general manager of Habertürk, was brought to the Istanbul Courthouse on 18 December, accompanied by police, to give a statement.

Ateş's statement was taken as part of the drug investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Ateş left the courthouse after giving his statement.

Anchor Ela Rümeysa Cebeci jailed

According to a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Habertürk anchor Ela Rümeysa Cebeci was imprisoned pending trial on 17 December as part of a drug investigation.

Cebeci was transferred to the Bakırköy Women's Closed Prison.

In the investigation launched as part of the drug operation, news anchor Cebeci, who tested positive for drugs, had come to the Çağlayan Courthouse to give her second statement.

Investigation launched against İsmail Arı over his news reports

BirGün reporter İsmail Arı announced on his social media account that four investigations had been opened against him by the prosecutor’s office.

Arı said the complainants were the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), Deputy Minister of Tourism Batuhan Mumcu, Ak Gençlik Ocakları (Youth AK Party Organization) Manager Ergin Vançin, and businessman Mahmut Özcoşkun.

Journalist’s appeal for release rejected over alleged prison correspondence

An appeal against the postponement of journalist Ali Barış Kurt’s release has been rejected by the Judgeship of Execution.

Kurt was sentenced to two years and four months in prison on charges of “spreading terrorism propaganda” based on his professional work and social media posts. He was jailed on 8 February after the Supreme Court upheld the conviction. Although he later became eligible for release, prison authorities postponed it for six months, citing a lack of “remorse” and claiming that he “posed a risk of harm to others.” Kurt subsequently appealed the decision.

The Anadolu 4th Judgeship of Execution reviewed the appeal and upheld the postponement. Among the grounds cited was the allegation that Kurt had “corresponded with prisoners in other prisons.” Kurt, however, denied this claim, stating that he had not communicated with inmates held elsewhere.

Prosecutor seeks punishment for human rights defender Nurcan Kaya

The second hearing in the trial of human rights defender Nurcan Kaya, charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” and “violation of the Law on the Prevention of Terrorism Financing,” was held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court on 18 December 18 2025.

Kaya did not attend the hearing, but her lawyer, Batıkan Erkoç, was present in court.

The prosecutor presented their final opinion on the case and demanded punishment for Kaya.

Lawyer Erkoç requested time to make a statement in response to the opinion; he also requested the return of the digital materials held in judicial custody and the lifting of the ban on Kaya leaving the country. Erkoç recalled the Constitutional Court's decision to overturn the ban on leaving the country.

The court decided that the travel ban would be evaluated along with the verdict and that a memorandum would be sent to the relevant institution for the return of the digital materials if their images had been taken.

The trial was postponed until 24 February 2026.

Umut Taştan's trial postponed until April 2026

The eighth hearing in the trial of journalist Umut Taştan, who was forcefully detained while covering the news, and 50 other defendants on charges of “participating in illegal meetings and demonstrations without weapons and refusing to disperse despite warnings” and “resisting to prevent the execution of duty” was held at the Istanbul 44th Criminal Court of First Instance on 17 December 2025.

Taştan and his lawyer did not attend the hearing.

The court postponed the case until 16 April 2026.

Judicial control measures lifted for five journalists who protested killing of colleagues in drone strike

Judicial control measures have been lifted for five journalists who are on trial over their protest against the killing of fellow reporters Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan.

The first hearing in the case against journalists Zeynep Kuray, Mahsum Sağlam, Pelin Laçin, Yadigar Aygün, and Yağmur Filiz was held on 16 December 2025 at the Istanbul 39th Criminal Court of First Instance. The five are charged with violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. They were detained while covering and taking part in a protest against the deaths of Bilgin and Daştan, who were killed in a drone strike in Syria in December 2024.

After hearing the defendants and their lawyers, the court ruled to lift all judicial control measures and adjourned the trial until 8 May 2026.

Court orders for compulsory attendance of Yüksel Genç in "KCK Press" case

The 34th hearing in the “KCK Press Case,” in which 46 journalists are charged with “membership in a terrorist organization,” “managing a terrorist organization” and “terrorism propaganda” was held at the İstanbul 3rd High Criminal Court on 16 December 2025.

In the hearing, which the defendants and their lawyers did not attend, it was decided to wait for the execution of arrest warrants for some of the defendants. The court also issued a warrant for the compulsory attendance of Yüksel Genç, whose defense had not been heard in the consolidated case.

The trial was postponed until 30 April 2026.

At least 30 journalists and media workers behind bars in Turkey

Following the imprisonment of journalist Cihan Berk, as of 19 December 2025, there are at least 30 journalists and media workers were in prison in Turkey, either awaiting trial or serving finalized sentences.

The full list can be accessed here.