Altan Sancar acquitted of “spreading false information”; investigation launched against Bahadır Özgür over a news story from four years ago; prosecutor demands sentencing in trial of three journalists

Investigation launched against journalist Bahadır Özgür over a news story from four years ago

An investigation has been launched against journalist Bahadır Özgür following a criminal complaint filed by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), citing the news story he published as grounds.

In the investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, he faces charges of “disclosing a confidential report containing state intelligence information.”

The news story that triggered the investigation, titled “Mersin’den IŞİD’e milyon dolarlık satış” (Million-Dollar Sales to ISIS from Mersin) and published in the BirGün newspaper in 2022, stated that drone parts imported from China were sold to individuals responsible for ISIS drone attacks by foreign trade companies established in Mersin. It was reported that the founders of these companies had obtained Turkish citizenship and had ties to high-ranking ISIS militants in Syria who were later killed in a U.S. airstrike.

Investigation launched against soL writers and reporters following a complaint by AKP co-founder Cuneyd Zapsu

Following a complaint by Cuneyd Zapsu, an AKP co-founder and owner of Balsu Gıda, an investigation has been launched against soL writer Orhan Gökdemir, reporter İrem Yıldırım, and Managing Editor Emre Alım.

SoL writers and staff members who gave statements at the Vatan Police Department on 8 April faced charges related to two news articles.

The first of the news articles under investigation is the piece published on 5 November 2025, titled “Ferrero'nun fındık restinin perde arkası: Şili’ye doğru giderken bu işbirlikçilerini de yanlarına alsınlar” (Behind the scenes of Ferrero’s hazelnut boycott: Let them take these collaborators along as they head to Chile.) Citing the report regarding rumors that Ferrero had halted its hazelnut purchases from Turkey, charges of “insult,” “defamation,” “incitement to commit a crime,” and “inciting the people to hatred and hostility.”

The second news article under investigation is the piece published on 17 October 2025, titled “'Kara para' soruşturmaları Cuneyd Zapsu'ya dayandı: Ciner'in gölgesinde hangi isimler var?” (Money laundering’ investigations point to Cuneyd Zapsu: Which names are in Ciner’s shadow?)

In the investigation opened against Emre Alım, charges of “insult,” “defamation,” “incitement to commit a crime,” and “inciting the people to hatred and hostility” were pressed. In the report, which noted that Cuneyd Zapsu—one of the founders of the AKP—had also given a statement as part of the “money laundering” investigations targeting holding companies, attention was drawn to the fact that Zapsu “was among the founders of the AKP and played a critical role in securing approval from the U.S. and major business tycoons on the path to power,” while the details of the Zapsu-Ciner relationship were examined.

Altan Sancar acquitted of “spreading false information”

The third hearing in the trial of journalist Altan Sancar on charges of “spreading false information” was held at the Ankara 27th Criminal Court of First Instance on 9 April 2026.

No one attended the hearing.

The prosecutor, presenting their final opinion on the case, requested that Altan be punished for the impugned crime.

The court ruled that the act in question was not defined as a crime under the law and decided to acquit Sancar.

Court decides to continue international travel ban in trial of 19 journalists in Diyarbakır

The 10th hearing in the trial of 19 journalists, who were imprisoned pending trial in 2022 and remained in detention for over a year, on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "terrorism propaganda" was held at the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court on 9 April 2026.

At the hearing, which was monitored by P24, the journalists Abdurrahman Öncü, Ömer Çelik, Mehmet Ali Ertaş, Berivan Karatorak, Esmer Tunç, and Serdar Altan were present along with their lawyers. The Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association and the Mezopotamya Women Journalists’ Association also observed the hearing.

Speaking during the hearing, journalists Karatorak and Altan stated that they did not accept the charges.

Following the journalists, lawyer Resul Temur took the floor, noting that the journalists have been subject to travel bans for over four years, and stated, “During this process, none of the defendants committed any violations. This situation has now also turned into an obstruction of professional activities. We request that your court lift the travel bans at this stage.”

The court decided to maintain the international travel ban on the journalists, and adjourned the case until 9 July 2026.

Click here to read the details of the article.

Rüstem Batum's “insulting the president” case postponed until October 2026

The 17th hearing in the case against journalist Rüstem Batum on charges of “insulting the president” was held at the İstanbul 5th Criminal Court of First Instance on 7 April 2026.

No one attended the hearing.

The trial was adjourned until 8 October 2026.

Prosecutor demands sentencing for journalists

The sixth hearing in the trial of journalists Esra Solin Dal, Mehmet Aslan, and Erdoğan Alayumat, who are charged with “membership in a terrorist organization” was held at the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court on 7 April 2026.

The journalists were not present at the hearing, but their lawyers were present. P24 monitored the hearing.

The prosecutor, presenting their final opinion on the case, demanded sentencing for the impugned crime. The defense requested additional time.

The trial was postponed until 9 June 2026.

Click here to read the details of the article.

Retrial of Neşe İdil begins following top court's ruling for rights violation

The first hearing in the retrial of journalist Neşe İdil, who faces charges of “terrorism propaganda” following the Constitutional Court’s (AYM) ruling on a violation, was held at the Istanbul 22nd High Criminal Court on 7April 2026.

At the hearing, which was monitored by P24, İdil and her lawyer Hazal Sümeli were present.

The prosecutor, presenting their final opinion on the case, requested that İdil be punished for the “terrorism propaganda” charge in accordance with the previous ruling.

The court adjourned the case until 22 April 2026.

Click here to read the details of the article.

Evrim Deniz presents defense in case filed for “unlawful disclosure of personal data”

The hearing in the trial of journalist Evrim Deniz on charges of “illegally disclosing or obtaining personal data” over a news report was held at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on 6 April 2026. Deniz gave her statement via video link at the Izmir 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

In her statement, Deniz denied the charges, stating that the information included in the news report was available in the publicly accessible Turkish Trade Registry Gazette and that she had not obtained this information through illegal means. The court concluded the hearing by deciding that the defenses would be heard at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, where the main case is being heard.

The case was initiated following a complaint by Mehmet Emin Eren and Mehmet Nesim Eren, the owners of the Kulplu company, which had undertaken the construction of a police station in the Hesandin Plateau in Diyarbakır. Deniz had reported that the two men were being tried on charges of “attempted robbery” and “murder” targeting Kerim Diler, the doctor of then-Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, and certain businesspeople.

At least 26 journalists and media workers behind bars in Turkey

As of 10 April 2026, there are at least 26 journalists and media workers in prison in Turkey, either awaiting trial or serving finalized sentences.

The full list can be accessed here.