Two journalists released; Ercüment Akdeniz acquitted; court rules for release of journalist İsmail Arı; Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu files criminal complaint against Timur Soykan

Journalist who reported on AKP deputy’s son released after two weeks behind bars

The 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance in the Aegean province of Aydın has ordered on 1 June 2026 the release of Aydınpost editor-in-chief Yelis Ayaz, who had been jailed pending trial since 15 May over a report concerning allegations involving the son of a lawmaker.

Ayaz was arrested on charges of “spreading misleading information” after reporting claims that the son of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Aydın deputy Seda Sarıbaş had brought a knife and a gun to school. The case drew attention as one of the latest prosecutions brought under Turkey’s controversial “disinformation” law.

The court ordered Ayaz’s release while the proceedings continue.

Ayaz is scheduled to appear before the Aydın 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on 30 June 2026 for the first hearing in the case, where she faces charges of “spreading false information” and “insult.”

A step back in the Press Advertising Agency regulation

In the bill discussed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s (TBMM) Planning and Budget Committee, provisions that would have expanded the Press Advertising Agency’s authority to impose advertising suspension penalties on online news sites and media organizations have been withdrawn.

The TBMM Planning and Budget Commission convened under the chairmanship of AKP Samsun Deputy Mehmet Muş. The commission completed its deliberations on the 24-article bill proposing amendments to various laws. Following a vote, the bill was approved by the commission.

The bill also included notable provisions related to the press sector. Through amendments to the Press Advertising Agency’s regulations, a legal framework will be established allowing the Agency’s General Assembly to determine criteria such as the number of news articles, staff, content, readership, and publication duration for online news sites.

With the motion submitted by the AKP and approved by the Committee, the “press publication principles” regulation targeting newspapers, magazines, and online news sites—which was included in the initial draft of the bill—was removed from the text. Accordingly, provisions that allowed the Press Advertising Authority to impose penalties such as the suspension of official announcements and advertisements on the grounds of non-compliance with press publication principles, as well as oversight and enforcement mechanisms related to these principles and penalties regarding the readership of online news sites, were removed from the regulation. Thus, the article has been restructured to regulate penalties applicable only in cases of non-compliance with the qualifications, duties, and obligations stipulated by law.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu files criminal complaint against Timur Soykan

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was appointed CHP Chairman by a court ruling, has filed a criminal complaint against BirGüncolumnist Timur Soykan.

Soykan had brought to the public agenda a significant allegation regarding Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on the program “Karga Kahvaltısını Yapmadan” aired on OnlarTV on YouTube.

Sharing a brief note about a meeting Kılıçdaroğlu had with a mayor 5-6 months ago, Soykan explained that Kılıçdaroğlu had asked this individual to act as a witness in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) case, in which Ekrem İmamoğlu is also on trial. While emphasizing that he had learned of this incident months ago, Soykan did not reveal the identity of the mayor in question, as he had not obtained his consent.

Journalist Sema Bingöl released after arrest at Gezi protest in Ankara

Mezopotamya Agency reporter Sema Bingöl was released on 2 June 2026 after being detained while covering a memorial in Ankara for Ethem Sarısülük, a protester who was killed during the national mass demonstrations triggered following the police intervention in Gezi Park in 2013.

Bingöl was among 24 people detained when police intervened in the commemoration ceremony held on 1 June. The gathering marked the anniversary of Sarısülük’s death, which became a symbol of police violence during the Gezi demonstrations.

Following police procedures and a medical examination, Bingöl and five others were released from custody.

The remaining detainees whose police statements had been completed were transferred to the Ankara Courthouse for further proceedings.

Court rules for İsmail Arı to be released

The first hearing in the trial of imprisoned BirGün newspaper reporter İsmail Arı on charges of “spreading false information” and “violation of confidentiality” was held at the Ankara 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on 5 June 2026.

Arı and his lawyers were present in the courtroom. P24 monitored the hearing.

In his defense, İsmail Arı stated, “I came here not only to defend myself but also to defend journalism. I hold a press card issued by the Presidency’s Communications Directorate. I have been in prison for 75 days on a charge that does not carry a prison sentence. For 75 days, I have been sleeping on the floor in a cell that is far beyond capacity. Despite the Constitution stating that the press is free, I was imprisoned with the Constitution and the law being trampled underfoot.”

The lawyers in their defense statements stressed that the news report serves public interest and demanded acquittal.

The prosecutor requested that Arı remain in prison, citing the failure to gather evidence and the existence of strong grounds for suspicion of a crime. 

The court ruled for the release of Arı, and adjourned the case until 9 October 2026.

Journalist Cihan Berk sentenced to 6 years in prison, released pending appeal

A court in the eastern province of Tunceli sentenced journalist Cihan Berk to 6 years and 3 months in prison on 3 June 2026 after convicting him of “membership in a terrorist organization.” Despite the conviction, the court ordered his release pending appeal under an international travel ban.

The ruling was delivered at the second hearing of Berk’s trial before the Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court. Berk, who had been held in pre-trial detention since December 2025, was brought to the courtroom from prison. The hearing was attended by his lawyers, Kenan Çetin and Doğa İncesu, as well as representatives of the Human Rights Association (İHD), relatives, and fellow journalists.

During the hearing, the prosecutor repeated the final opinion on the case and requested Berk’s conviction. In his defense, Berk rejected the accusations and argued that the activities cited as evidence were part of his journalistic work.

His lawyers criticized the prosecution for relying on assumptions rather than concrete evidence and requested his acquittal and release.

Berk was prosecuted over social media posts concerning families affiliated with the Association for Mutual Aid and Solidarity with the Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TAYAD), a video he recorded in support of a prisoner on hunger strike, correspondence with inmates, and the possession of books deemed prohibited by the authorities.

He was detained in a police raid on his home and jailed pending trial on 19 December 2025.

Travel ban on journalist lifted in case regarding appointment of trustee to CHP Istanbul Provincial Directorate

The third hearing in the trial of 20 people, including journalist Fatoş Erdoğan, who is on trial for sharing posts on social media regarding the events that began with a police raid following the appointment of Gürsel Tekin as trustee to the CHP Istanbul Provincial Directorate in September 2025, on charges of “inciting the people to commit a crime” was held at the Istanbul 9th Criminal Court of First Instance on 3 June 2026.

The hearing, monitored by P24, was held in the courtroom of the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court due to the large number of defendants. Fourteen defendants free pending trial, including Fatoş Erdoğan, and their lawyers were present at the hearing.

Journalist Fatoş Erdoğan stated that since she did not know why she was being charged, she did not know how to mount her defense. Recalling that Sedat Peker, the leader of a criminal organization, was acquitted despite threatening academics, and that a decision of non-prosecution was issued regarding Sevda Noyan, who compiled a death list, Erdoğan said the following: “I am a journalist. I covered the events there for two days, shared tweets and videos, and described what was happening. I might have posted 30 tweets, but the prosecutor selected three of them. How is writing ‘Özgür Çelik rolled up his sleeves’ a crime? Who am I calling out? Where is the violence? Who did I incite to commit a crime? I am being tried for journalistic activities, and journalism is not a crime."

Erdoğan’s lawyer, Elif Ergin, also stated that an immediate acquittal should be issued for her client, noting that this case violates the public’s right to information.

The court decided to lift the international travel ban—a form of judicial supervision—imposed on the defendants. The judge ruled that defendants whose statements had not been taken must be present at the next hearing and rejected requests to separate the case regarding those defendants. The judge, who lifted the defendants’ obligation to attend the hearing, postponed the case until 21 October 2026.

Click here to read the details of the article.

Journalist Ercüment Akdeniz acquitted in the case which kept him in jail for 8 months

The fourth hearing in the trial of journalist Ercüment Akdeniz, who was jailed as part of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) investigation and released eight months later, on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” was held at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court on 2 June 2026.

Akdeniz and his lawyers were present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24.

The prosecutor, reiterating their final opinion submitted to the case file between hearings, requested that Akdeniz be punished for the “membership in a terrorist organization” charge leveled against him.

In his defense against the indictment, Akdeniz stated, “If, as alleged, the HDK is an alternative structure to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), how are the HDK co-spokespersons working under the parliamentary roof? While the highest authorities of the state do not view meetings with the HDK as a crime, we are being tried based on an indictment dating back 14 years. Moreover, I have never held any position within the HDK. The prosecution has failed to present any concrete evidence. This trial has turned into a trial of the Labor Party (EMEP).”

Akdeniz’s lawyers also pointed out that the charges in the closing arguments were not substantiated and that constitutional rights were being made the subject of the case.

The court, announcing its decision, ruled in favor of the acquittal of journalist Akdeniz.

Click here to read the details of the article.

At least 21 journalists and media workers behind bars in Turkey

Following the release of journalists İsmail Arı, Yelis Ayaz and Cihan Berk, as of 5 June 2026, there are at least 21 journalists and media workers in prison in Turkey, either awaiting trial or serving finalized sentences.

The full list can be accessed here.