In his closing argument submitted to the court between hearings, the prosecutor has requested that Akdeniz be punished for the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” brought against him. Akdeniz has stated, “Both the indictment and the closing argument are based on fabricated charges”

CANSU PİŞKİN, ISTANBUL

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 the opinion dated 15 May 2026, the prosecutor argued that Akdeniz, a journalist and former General Secretary of EMEP, had carried out activities within the HDK, which is alleged to have been established on the instructions of the PKK/KCK. The prosecutor also cited Akdeniz’s phone calls, participation in various actions and events, and his statements regarding the HDK as evidence for the charges.

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). In the indictment, every activity of the EMEP has been portrayed as an activity of the HDK. Every activity carried out by me and EMEP has been deemed illegal without directly mentioning EMEP’s name. This situation is detrimental to our political rights and freedoms.”

Akdeniz continued his defense as follows: “All the conversations in the recordings included in the indictment are with members of the Labor Party. If there was indeed an element of a crime in these recordings, the court could have summoned the mentioned individuals as witnesses. The prosecution, which accepted the conspiracy report of that period without any verification, interpreted EMEP dues as providing funds to an illegal organization. Both the indictment and the prosecution’s closing argument are based on fabricated charges. I have no membership in any organization other than DİSK Basın-İş and the Turkish Writers’ Union. My only weapon is my pen. I am a journalist. Journalists never lie to the public. Was it a crime for me to serve as the president of a political party, or was it a crime for me to practice journalism? These are the questions that remain in my mind at the end of this trial. I demand my acquittal.”

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. Özcan Karakoç, one of Akdeniz’s lawyers, said, “The prosecution wants my client punished but presents no evidence to support the charges.” Karakoç requested his client’s acquittal and the lifting of the international travel ban against him. When asked for his final statement, Akdeniz reiterated his request for acquittal.

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

Background of the case

As part of an Istanbul-based operation targeting the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), 50 people—including journalist Ercüment Akdeniz—were detained on 18 February 2025, following police raids on their homes. The prosecution had alleged that Akdeniz and the other detainees “operated within the HDK structure in Istanbul.” Describing the HDK as a “front organization with a legal facade,” the prosecution had argued that the group served as an alternative parliament to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

Akdeniz and the other 49 individuals held at the Istanbul Police Department were restricted from meeting with their lawyers for 24 hours, and a confidentiality order was imposed on the case file.

Akdeniz and the other 49 individuals were transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan on 21 February, following a four-day detention period. Thirty people, including Akdeniz, were sent to pre-trial detention.

Akdeniz was released at the second hearing on 23 October 2025.