The court, ruling in line wth the prosecutor's request, has decided that all defendants be acquitted individually

The third hearing in the trial of 66 people, including journalist Zişan Gür, who was detained while covering the Saraçhane protests, on charges of “participating in an unlawful assembly and march without weapons and refusing to disperse despite warnings,” was held at the Istanbul 26th Criminal Court of First Instance on 3 July 2026.

Four defendants and their lawyers were present at the hearing, which Gür did not attend. P24 monitored the hearing.

The prosecutor, presenting their final opinion on the case, noted that the ban on demonstrations and events imposed by the Istanbul Governor’s Office at the time had been lifted, and requested that all defendants be acquitted individually.

The defence lawyers also stated that they concurred with the submission for acquittal.

The court ruled that all defendants be acquitted individually.

Background of the case

Zişan Gür, a reporter for Sendika.Org, was detained in Istanbul’s Saraçhane district whilst covering the protests that began following the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) on 23 March 2025.

On 26 March, Gür was taken to court along with 65 other people detained during the protests; following his statements to the public prosecutor and the judge, he was released under judicial supervision measures.