Pehlevan, who was imprisoned pending trial for “insulting the president,” has been released under judicial control measures, including a ban on leaving the country and weekly reporting. The trial was adjourned until 24 March

CANSU PİŞKİN, İSTANBUL

The second hearing in the trial of LeMan magazine cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, who is charged with “insulting the president” over posts allegedly made from his social media account, was held at the İstanbul 36th Criminal Court of First Instance on 18 November 2025.

Pehlevan's lawyers were present at the hearing, which was monitored by P24. Pehlevan attended the hearing via the judicial videoconferencing system from the prison where he is being held.

After his identity was verified, Pehlevan presented his defense, stating, "Social media is not something I enjoy. I do not use the account that is claimed to belong to me. As I am a cartoonist, other people may have opened accounts in my name. I have no social media accounts. I did not make the post mentioned in the indictment.”

Pehlevan's lawyer, Ali Deniz Ceylan, said, “The investigation against my client began because of a cartoon published in LeMan magazine. My client was not asked about the tweets in question during his police statement. We saw these tweets in the arrest warrant,” and requested his client's release.

The prosecutor requested that Pehlevan remain in detention, citing the nature and circumstances of the crime and the evidence gathered.

Pehlevan's lawyer, Samet Fidan, said, “My client is being held in a well-like prison. This goes beyond a fair trial and amounts to deprivation of liberty. We do not agree with the opinion and request our client's release."

The court decided to release Pehlevan under judicial control measures in the form of a ban on leaving the country and weekly checking-in. The trial was adjourned until 24 March 2026.

Background of the case

Cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan was detained on 30 June after a cartoon he published in the 26 June 2025 issue of LeMan magazine circulated on social media. Along with Pehlevan, the magazine's managing editor Zafer Aknar, editor Aslan Özdemir, graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, and facility manager Ali Yavuz were also detained during a police raid on their homes and taken to the police station.

While Pehlevan was in custody, the Cybercrime Department filed an investigation report. The report, dated 1 July 2025, stated that a post made on 1 July 2019, from an X account allegedly belonging to Pehlevan, with the username “@doganpehlevan,” was found to constitute “insulting the president.”

After being questioned by the prosecutor on 2 July, Pehlevan was referred to the duty magistrate's court with a request for his imprisonment on charges of “inciting the people to hatred and hostility” and “insulting the president.” Pehlevan was sent to pre-trial detention for both charges by decision of the İstanbul 5th Criminal Judgeship of Peace.

Two separate cases were opened against Pehlevan. The first hearing in the case opened on the charge of “insulting the president” was held on 11 November. Although Pehlevan said that the account from which the post in question was made did not belong to him, the court decided to continue his detention, “taking into account the current evidence.”

In the first hearing in the case filed for “inciting the people to hatred and hostility,” held on 14 November, a release decision was issued for Pehlevan.