The court has ruled to continue the detention of Berk, who has been in prison since 19 December, and adjourned the case until 3 June

METİN YOKSU, TUNCELİ

The first hearing in the trial of imprisoned Pir News Agency (PİRHA) reporter Cihan Berk, who is facing charges of “membership in a terrorist organization,” was held at the Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court on 15 April 2026. While journalists were barred from attending the hearing, defense lawyers protested the decision and had the ban recorded in the court minutes.

Berk, who has been in detention since 19 December 2025, faces charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” over social media posts regarding families affiliated with TAYAD, a video he filmed in support of a prisoner on a hunger strike, his correspondence with inmates in prison, and the possession of “banned books” at his home.

Berk participated in the hearing via the judicial videoconferencing system from the Elazığ High-Security Prison where he is detained, while his lawyers, Kenan Çetin and Doğa İncesu, were present in the courtroom.

Speaking to the press outside the courthouse after the hearing, the lawyers stated that Berk did not accept the charges outlined in the indictment during his defense.

Lawyer Çetin noted that Berk objected to the library he had established at his home being presented as evidence of a crime. Çetin explained that the library was created for the purpose of researching sources regarding lawyer Ebru Timtik, who lost her life during a hunger strike in 2020, and that Berk was working on writing a book about Ebru Timtik.

He noted that the letters sent to Berk and his conversations with individuals he met in prison were subject to scrutiny; the books were reviewed by the “Book Reading Commission” in prison, while the letters were delivered to him with the notation “reviewed” by the relevant commission.

Çetin said, “As his two lawyers, we stated that the charge of membership in a terrorist organization should not apply in this case, and that even discussing it is incorrect. Since the elements of the charge of membership in a terrorist organization are clear, we argued that this crime cannot be established without circumstances such as joining an organization, using a code name, receiving armed or theoretical training, or submitting a resume to the organization.

We noted that records exist of the times Cihan went to work, the news stories he covered, and what time he returned home; that he is a journalist working at PİRHA News Agency in a salaried position and has authored dozens of news stories. Therefore, we believe that the selective use of a few news stories in different publications does not even constitute the crime of terrorism propaganda.”

Following the defenses, the court announced its interim ruling and decided to continue Berk’s detention. The next hearing will take place on 3 June 2026.