The first hearing, which Yıldırım—who lives abroad—and his lawyer did not attend, was held in Ankara. The case was adjourned until 12 January 2027

DENİZ NAZLIM, ANKARA

The first hearing in the case against Mehmet Murat Yıldırım, editor of Siyasi Haber, who is on trial for “insulting the president” over his news reports and social media posts, was held at the 24th Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance on 8 September 2026.

No one attended the hearing, which was monitored by P24. The hearing, conducted on the basis of the case file, was adjourned until 2 January 2027.

In a statement to Expression Interrupted regarding the case, Yıldırım said, “As a journalist living in exile, I continue to face such trials being conducted against me in Turkey. The case brought against me on the charge of ‘insulting the president’ was heard in my absence.” 

Emphasizing that the content at the center of the trial constitutes journalistic activity, Yıldırım continued: “The news reports, articles and social media posts I have written are part of my journalistic activities and my freedom of expression. The fact that these are being treated as criminal offenses is an indication of the pressure faced not only by me, but by numerous journalists in Turkey who are trying to practice their profession freely.”

Background of the case

The indictment cited as grounds for the charges the content published on the news website of which Yıldırım was the editor, as well as the sharing and commenting on this content on social media. The investigation was launched during the period of protests that began on 19 March 2025, following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

The indictment cited as evidence posts relating to calls for a boycott during this period, reports on young people and journalists who were detained, and content concerning street protests. The prosecution argued that Yıldırım’s critical remarks directed at the president were of a nature that “insulted his honor, dignity and reputation.”

The case file also included articles written by Yıldırım regarding attacks on Alevis in Syria, titled “From the Ottomans to Erdoğan: the unchanging face of the state – Alevis are being massacred” and “15 years of the Erdoğan regime: massacres and deadlock.”

Access to Yıldırım’s personal X account was blocked on 25 March 2026. On the same day, similar restrictions were imposed on the accounts of numerous journalists and media organizations.

A case against Yıldırım on charges of “terrorism propaganda” is ongoing at the Aydın 2nd High Criminal Court. An investigation being conducted by the Kuşadası Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is also continuing.

Following the investigations and legal proceedings against him, Yıldırım left Turkey and is currently living abroad.