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Human Rights Association (İHD), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) and Initiative for Freedom of Expression have released their report "Freedom of Expression Violations in Turkey - February 2021."
The report has noted that "February was very intense in terms of violations against freedom of expression, freedom of meeting and demonstration, organisation and of course in terms of other human rights violations."
Referring to the ongoing protests against Prof. Melih Bulu, the appointed rector of Boğaziçi University, the report of the organizations has commented, "The prominent incident was protests organised by university groups, preventions against these protests through ban decrees issued by local administrations and of course the violations that came with them."
The report has then offered the following day-to-day account of the violations of freedom of expression committed in Turkey in three parts:
Administrative bans, security interventions
01: Istanbul The police prevented those wanting to protest the arrest of two Boğaziçi University students using physical violence, 159 people were detained.
01: Izmir 27 people were detained with torture during the police attack before the "pride march" organised by the University Solidarity in front of the ÖSYM.
02: Ankara The police intervened against the press statement organised in front of Çankaya Municipality in order to protest the "Boğaziçi" events, detaining at least 70 people using physical violence.
02: Ankara 9 People's Democratic Party (HDP) members were detained within the operation organised within an investigation. Two members were arrested and seven were released on the condition of house imprisonment.
02: Istanbul Students wanting to take the ferry from Beşiktaş pier to Kadıköy faced criminal record checks and were not allowed on the ferry.
02: Istanbul The police detained many students at the Boğaziçi University campus bus stop as well as other students inside moving buses in front of the campus, using physical violence.
02: Van The Governorate banned all meetings and demonstrations for 15 days. With this decree, the protest and demonstration ban that was ongoing since November 21, 2016 was extended for a total of 1549 days.
03: Antalya The Governorate banned all open-air statements for 15 days.
03: Istanbul Eight people were detained due to their social media posts against the rector appointment at Boğaziçi University.
03: Izmir The press statement, "We Will Not Look Down" to be organised by the Labour and Democracy Forces in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in order to support Boğaziçi University was dispersed with a police attack. 51 people were detained with torture during the attack of the police, who used heavy tear gas.
04: Antalya The Youth Solidarity and Labour Democracy Forces' statement to protest Governorate bans was banned.
04: Bursa The police intervened against those wanting to hold a press statement in order to protest the "Boğaziçi" events, detaining 17 people.
04: Istanbul A citizen hung a banner on the window of his house in Bahçelievler, which stated, "Boğaziçi under blockade, we will not look down". The banner was taken down with a raid organised against the citizen's house.
04: Istanbul 22 people stood trial over protesting the "Boğaziçi" events and intervened against the lawyers and Parliament members coming for support.
04: Istanbul The police intervened against the group, including Parliament members, who wanted to announce the establishment of the "United Resistance Forces" with a press statement in Kadıköy. 68 people were detained, including 2 journalists and 4 children.
04: Istanbul The police intervened against those wanting to hold a press statement in Kadıköy in order to protest the "Boğaziçi" events and detained five people.
04: Samsun The police intervened against the press statement organised to protest the "Boğaziçi" events and detained 19 people, including the People's Democratic Party (HDP) and Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) executives.
05: Ankara The police intervened against the press statement organised to protest the "Boğaziçi" events and detained 29 people, including lawyers, using violence.
05: Izmir Izmir University Solidarity wanted to hold a press statement in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center with the title, "To Defend the Nation is to Defend the University." Before the students could gather, the police detained 26 people along the street, using torture.
06: Adana The police detained 10 people, who arrived in the press meeting organized by KESK unions, the Medical Chamber, chambers of the TMMOB, Bar Associations and other NGOs, in front of the building, using physical violence.
07: Ankara A citizen, H. B. was detained in Pursaklar district with the allegation that he tried to burn down a poster hanging on the transformer station, depicting the President.
07: Mardin The Governorate declared a curfew in Sulakdere neighborhood of Ömerli district. The curfew ended on February 8 at 21:00.
07: Mardin The Governorate declared curfews in 4 neighborhoods in Artuklu and Nusaybin districts. The curfew ended the next day at 21:00.
07: Muş Elected members of the Provincial General Assembly from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), Savcı Arslan and Mehmet Emin Taşer were dismissed from their positions by the Interior Ministry due to the investigations started against them with the allegation of "making illegal organisation propaganda."
08: Ankara "Korkusuz" Daily writer Ahmet Takan was detained due to not having testified within a lawsuit filed against him.
08: Ankara The Interior Ministry announced that 1264 social media accounts were examined, legal actions were taken against 575 people and 39 people were detained with the allegation of making illegal organisation propaganda between the dates February 1-7, 2021.
08: Istanbul Kartal District Governorate banned all meetings and demonstrations for seven days.
08: Istanbul Boğaziçi University student photo reporter Ozan Acıdere was detained due to his social media posts.
08: Istanbul Evrensel Daily writer Ayşe Şahin was detained due to her social media posts.
09: Artvin The police intervened against the press statement to protest the "Boğaziçi" events in Kemalpaşa district, detaining two people.
09: Denizli The Governorate banned all open-air protests, events and press statements for a month.
09: Istanbul 61 people have been detained in Kadıköy as they were trying to announce the establishment of the "United Resistance Forces". The police prevented the press statement organised in front of the Anatolian Courthouse they were taken to.
09: Izmir The press statement organised in front of the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Provincial building by HDP members on the "claims of prisoners" was prevented by the security forces.
09: Izmir The press statement organised by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Women's Assembly in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center was prevented by the security intervention due to making terrorist organisation propaganda.
09: Şırnak The police prevented the commemoration event organised in Asri Cemetery by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) to commemorate those losing their lives in basements on February 7, 2016 in Cizre.
10: Amasya The police prevented the press statement organised by Taşova Environment Platform to protest the gold mining in Erbaa and Taşova districts in Tokat with cyanide.
10: Izmir Three students were detained after using blueprints to exhibit the torture of naked search.
10: Istanbul Five people were detained after writing on the wall related to the "Boğaziçi" incidents.
11: Bursa The Public Prosecutor's Office didn't answer the application made by PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's lawyers.
11: Kocaeli The police intervened against the press statement organised by the University Solidarity to protest the Boğaziçi events, detaining 17 people.
11: Konya Seven people were detained due to their social media posts.
11: Istanbul The police intervened against the group gathering at Çağlayan Courthouse in order to support five people, who were detained due to writing on the wall about the Boğaziçi protests, and detained nine people.
11: Istanbul Three Community House members were detained with house raids after the march in Esenyurt district, which was organised in order to protest the same incident.
12: Bursa The police intervened against the press statement organised in order to protest the "Boğaziçi" events and detained 19 people using physical violence.
12: Hakkâri The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations to be organised in the province.
12: Kocaeli 13 people, including People's Democratic Party (HDP) members, were detained with house raids.
12: Maraş A citizen, O.T., was detained after allegedly telling the AKP Deputy Chairman Mahir Ünal, "I don't recognize the GNAT, I don't recognize the government."
13: Adana Seven people were detained with the allegation of making terrorist organisation propaganda through their social media posts.
13: Istanbul 20 people were detained during house raids with the allegation that they were going to organise a protest on February 15, the date PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was brought to Turkey.
14: Diyarbakır 7 people were detained due to their social media posts. One of them was released due to having cancer.
14: Yalova Eight People's Democratic Party (HDP) Provincial executives were detained.
15: Batman The police raided and searched the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Batman Provincial and Central District buildings on February 15, 2021 within an investigation against HDP members and executives.
15: Diyarbakır The march, "End to Isolation, Justice for Life" organised for Öcalan was prevented by the police. The group, including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Saliha Aydeniz and People's Democratic Party (HDP) MPs, performed a sit-in protest where they gathered.
15: Erzurum Four people were detained in Karayazı district due to their social media posts.
15: Istanbul The press statement organised in Şişhane for the anniversary of Abdullah Öcalan being brought to Turkey was not allowed.
16: Ankara The police intervened against the press statement organised in Kuğulu Park, Çankaya on the "Women's Universities" planned to be established by the government; detaining ten people.
17: Diyarbakır The police prevented the human chain protest organised by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Women's Assembly and Tevgera Jinên Azad (TJA) at Dağkapı Square within the "Justice for All Campaign".
17: Diyarbakır The police prevented the press statement organised at Koşuyolu Park in Bağlar district in order to point out to the indefinite hunger strike ongoing in prisons with the demand for the solitary confinement against PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to end. The group performed a sit-in protest where the police prevented them from entering the park.
17: Istanbul 44 people were detained with house raids due to their connections with the coup.
17: Van The Governorate banned all demonstrations and open-air meetings to be organised across the province for another 15 days. All protests and demonstrations are banned in Van for 1564 days, since November 21, 2016. Thus, this Constitutional right is completely restricted.
18: Uşak The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations for 15 days due to COVID-19.
20: Batman The application made on the banners to be hung across the province within the "Justice for All" campaign was denied by the Governorate based on "the banners and leaflets having the potential to create a negative perception among the people against our legal system."
20: Mardin The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations once again for another 15 days.
21: Istanbul Two people were detained due to copying and distributing the letter written by Şilan Delibalta, who was arrested during the protests at Boğaziçi University.
22: Istanbul The police prevented the "March 8, Resisting Women Photography Exhibition" prepared by the Women's Platform in Avcılar, using physical violence.
22: Mardin The Governorate declared curfews in four neighborhoods in Kızıltepe district and 6 neighborhoods in Mazıdağı and Derik districts. The curfew ended the same night.
22: Van The police prevented the press statement to be organised at Kapıköy Border Gate in Saray district within the "Justice for All" campaign. The group, including People's Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Pervin Buldan, was stopped by the police and held a press statement there. The police further prevented the journalists from recording visuals.
24: Ankara Two people were detained with the allegation of hanging posters everywhere around Çankaya with the writing, "Universities Can Not Be Handcuffed, We Have It From Now On."
24: Istanbul The police prevented the press statement organised by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) and the People's Democratic Congress (HDK) in Avcılar on "cultural assimilation and censorship."
24: Istanbul A citizen, S.E., was detained due to a social media post he made on the Interior Minister. He was released by the court he was taken to, on the condition of house imprisonment and of participating in a seminar on anger management once a week.
25: Antalya Muratpaşa District Governorate brought a three-day ban against all protests and demonstrations to be organised in the district.
25: Izmir The police prevented the press statement organised by the People's Democratic Party (HDP) in front of the PTT before they faxed their letter to the Ministry of Justice for the European Court of Human Rights decree on Selahattin Demirtaş to be applied.
25: Tunceli The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations for 30 days.
27: Nevşehir In the police raid against the house of Turkish Communist Party (TKP) member B. A. in Hacıbektaş district, his pregnant older sister suffered a miscarriage due to stress and lost one of her twin babies.
Investigations and prosecutions
01: Ankara The Interior Ministry announced that 5394 social media accounts were examined, legal actions were taken against 2237 people and 118 people were detained between the dates January 1 and January 31, 2021 with the allegation of having made illegal organisation propaganda.
01: Muş Previously shut-down Dicle News Agency reporter İdris Sayılgan was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment by Muş 2nd Assize Court due to "successively making illegal organisation propaganda."
01: Van Tuşba district's People's Democratic Party (HDP) Municipal Assembly member Berken Kızılkaraboğa, Star Women's Association Chair Serap Güvenç, HDP Van Provincial Co-Chair Handan Karakoyun and three Tevgera Jinên Azad (TJA) activists are on trial at Van 7th Assize Court. The next hearing was scheduled for May 18.
02: Bayburt Mesopotamia Agency's Managing Editor F. Ç. was acquitted in the lawsuit filed against them at the Criminal Court of First Instance.
02: Istanbul Boğaziçi University LGBTI+ Studies Candidate Club's candidacy status was removed with a rectorate decree and the club was shut down.
02: Istanbul The appeal court reversed the acquittal decrees issued for Osman Kavala and eight others in the Gezi Park Case held at the 30th Assize Court; travel bans were issued against eight people.
02: Istanbul Kadıköy District Governorate banned all meetings and demonstrations to be organised within the district for seven days.
03: Ankara Journalist Alican Uludağ was sentenced to 10 months of imprisonment in the lawsuit filed against him at the 18th Assize Court due to his social media posts.
03: Ankara The lawsuit filed against 12 Middle East Technical University students and alumni started at the 46th Criminal Court of First Instance due to holding a protest against the Credit Dormitories Institute dormitory to be built on the forest land at the university campus. The next hearing was scheduled for May 25.
03: Diyarbakır Imprisoned journalist Aziz Oruç's wife Hülya Oruç was acquitted in the lawsuit filed against her due to her social media posts.
03: Diyarbakır Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Diyarbakır former Provincial Co-Chair Garip Kandemir was sentenced to 6 years and three months of imprisonment by Diyarbakır 11th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership."
03: Istanbul The Özgür Gündem Daily Case filed against Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Erol Önderoğlu and Ahmet Nesin started to be re-tried after the reversal of the acquittal decrees for them.
04: Ankara In the lawsuit filed against the Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu at the 7th Criminal Court of First Instance due to "insulting the President," Kılıçdaroğlu was sentenced to pay 100,000 TL moral compensation to the President.
04: Diyarbakır The lawsuit filed against the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP İmam Taşçıer and former MPs İdris Baluken and Çağlar Demirel continued at the 12th Criminal Court of First Instance with the allegation of "insulting the President". The next hearing was scheduled for June 11.
04: Diyarbakır The lawsuit filed against previously shut-down Dicle News Agency (DIHA) reporter Ramazan Akoğul continued at the 4th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership." The next hearing was scheduled for May 25.
04: Istanbul People's Democratic Party (HDP) youth organisation member Muhammed Ünal was arrested after having been detained due to his social media posts.
05: Ankara The lawsuit filed against former People's Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş continued at the 25th Assize Court due to "targeting public officers." The next hearing was scheduled for April 9.
05: Antalya Good (İYİ) Party Chair Meral Akşener testified upon order at the 50th Criminal Court of First Instance within the lawsuit filed against her at the 14th Criminal Court of First Instance with the allegation of insulting the Higher Electoral Council (YSK) members during a statement she made.
05: Istanbul The lawsuit filed against businessman Osman Kavala continued at the 36th Assize Court. The court issued for Kavala to remain arrested.
06: Batman 46 people were sentenced to 900 TL administrative fines each due to participating in the march organised by the People's Democratic Party (HDP), the Democratic Society Congress (DTK), the Free Women's Movement (TJA), Democratic Regions Party (DBP) as well as not abiding by the rules of social distancing.
07: Izmir One Mimar Sinan University student was detained with a house arrest due to creating a WhatsApp group for the protests started by Boğaziçi University students and faculty members.
08: Ankara The Interior Ministry announced that 1264 social media accounts were examined, legal actions were taken against 575 people and 39 people were detained with the allegation of making illegal organisation propaganda between the dates February 1 and 7, 2021.
09: Diyarbakır Journalist Hatice Kamer stood trial once again at the 8th Assize Court after the acquittal decree issued for her in the lawsuit filed against her with the allegation of having made illegal organisation propaganda through her social media posts was reversed by the appeal court. The court issued the acquittal of Kamer once again.
09: Erzurum Mesopotamia News Agency reporter Dindar Karataş is charged with "illegal organisation membership" in the lawsuit filed against him at the 3rd Assize Court. The court issued for the release of Karataş and scheduled the next hearing for May 27.
10: Diyarbakır The People's Democratic Party (HDP) Bağlar District's former Co-Chair Arzu Karaman was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment by the 9th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership".
10: Diyarbakır Turkish Medical Association (TTB) High Honorary Council member Dr Şeyhmus Gökalp faces a claim of imprisonment from 7 years and six months up to 15 years in the lawsuit filed against him at the 10th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership" through his participation in the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) activities. After the defense statements, the court issued the release of Gökalp.
10: Kars A lawsuit was filed against journalist Selda Manduz at the 2nd Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership". After the defense statements, the court scheduled the next hearing for March 9.
11: Ankara The lawsuit filed against the People's Democratic Party (HDP) former Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ at the 10th Assize Court with the allegation of "insulting the President" was concluded with acquittal.
11: Antalya Two of the 11 people, who were detained due to "insulting the President" and "FETÖ/PDY membership", were arrested and one was released on the condition of judicial measures.
11: Antalya An investigation was opened against Community Houses members due to a banner they hung at the Yüzüncüyıl Street for solidarity with Boğaziçi University students.
11: Diyarbakır In the lawsuit filed against Yenişehir Co-Mayor İbrahim Çiçek at the 8th Assize Court after his electoral license was not handed to him due to having been previously dismissed from profession with a Statutory Decree even though he was elected as Co-Mayor from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), a decree for a stay of prosecution was issued due to violation with the Law of Criminal Procedure as another file that had a previous verdict of non-prosecution on it was added to the main case file. The court issued the release of İbrahim Çiçek.
11: Istanbul The lawsuit filed against two Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and the youth organisation of the ESP (SGDF) members was held at the 22nd Assize Court; the court issued for the defendants to be released.
11: Istanbul Three other ESP and SGDF members were released by the 22nd Assize Court.
11: Istanbul ESP member Volkan Uyar was released by the 26th Assize Court.
11: Van Journalist Arif Aslan is on trial at the 5th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership". The court scheduled the next hearing for March 4, after the defense statements.
11: Istanbul The prosecution of the lawsuit filed against journalist Nagehan Alçı continued at the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Alçı is on trial with a claim of imprisonment for up to 2 years and four months due to insulting a judge in an article she wrote. After her defense statement, the next hearing was scheduled for March 19.
12: Batman In the lawsuit filed against Batman Co-Mayor Mehmet Demir, who was replaced with a trustee, at Batman 2nd Assize Court; the court issued the release of Mehmet Demir after receiving the defense statements. The next hearing was scheduled for June 4.
13: Izmir Six people, including one woman, were detained due to making illegal organisation propaganda within an operation conducted by the Provincial Gendarmerie and Security Organisation.
14: Ankara An investigation was started against People's Democratic Party (HDP) MPs Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu and Hüda Kaya due to their statements against the military operation in the Gara Region of Iraq.
14: Aydın 13 People's Democratic Party (HDP) member women were detained with house raids due to their party activities as well as the press statements they participated in.
15: Balıkesir 10 houses were raided and six people were detained in many districts due to having made illegal organisation (PKK/KCK, YPG/PYD) propaganda on social media.
15: Denizli Three people were detained due to making illegal organisation propaganda on social media; two people were arrested.
15: Manisa Seven People's Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Organisation members were detained with house raids due to their party activities; three people were arrested.
15: Istanbul 23rd Assize Court issued the final decree on Özgür Gündem Daily's Editor-In-Chief Zana Kaya, Managing Editor İnan Kızılkaya, owner Kemal Sancılı and former Co-Editor-In-Chief Eren Keskin in the lawsuit filed against them due to "armed illegal organisation membership". Eren Keskin, Kızılkaya and Sancılı were sentenced to 7 years and three months of imprisonment each and Zana Kaya was sentenced to 2 years and one month of imprisonment, all due to "armed illegal organisation membership".
16: Ankara In the lawsuit filed against previously shut-down Dicle News Agency's former journalist F.G. at the 25th Assize Court, the arrested journalist was released and the next hearing was scheduled for May 27.
16: Diyarbakır The lawsuit filed against Gün TV's former Managing Editor Barış Barıştıran, Democratic Society Congress (DTK) Co-Chairmanship Council member Hilmi Aydoğdu and Mustafa Çukur continued at the 8th Assize Court with the allegation of "making illegal organisation propaganda" through the DTK congress being broadcasted live on Gün TV. The Prosecutor announced his opinion on the basis and claimed for Mustafa Çukur and Barış Barıştıran to be penalised due to "making illegal organisation propaganda" and claimed for the acquittal of Hilmi Aydoğdu. The next hearing was scheduled for March 16.
16: Diyarbakır The prosecution of previously shut-down Azadiya Welat Daily's former Managing Editor İsmail Çoban continued at the 7th Assize Court due to "successively making illegal organisation propaganda" and the next hearing was scheduled for May 4.
16: Istanbul In the hearing of the lawsuit filed against 22 people at the 5th Criminal Court of First Instance after the police raid against Özgür Gündem Daily due to "resisting to prevent duty and insulting the police", the judge was changed. The defendants' claims for their phone and SIM cards to be returned were denied and the next hearing was scheduled for February 16.
16: Istanbul The prosecution of 56 people, who were detained in the protest organised in Kadıköy for the 5th anniversary of Suruç massacre, started at the Anatolian Courthouse's 31st Criminal Court of First Instance.
16: Istanbul A decree was issued in the lawsuit filed against the Turkish Medical Association Central Council Chair Prof. Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı at the Anatolian 42nd Criminal Court of First Instance with the allegation of insulting Erdoğan through her social media posts in 2013. Şebnem Korur Fincancı was sentenced to pay 7080 TL judicial fine.
16: Van The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against journalists Adnan Bilen, Cemil Uğur, Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala and Zeynep Durgut at the 5th Assize Court due to reporting the news on the two villagers, Osman Şiban and Servet Turgut, being thrown off a helicopter, will be held on April 2. The indictment charges the five journalists with "illegal organisation membership."
17: Diyarbakır In the indictment prepared against 11 former executive board members of the Bar Association at the 13th Assize Court, the defendants are charged due to public incitement towards resentment and hostility in accordance with Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) as well as denigrating the Turkish nation, the government of the Republic of Turkey as well as other state institutions and government bodies in accordance with Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK) through their use of the expressions "The Armenian Genocide" in their statement on April 24, 2017 and "Kurdistan" in another statement. The court scheduled the next hearing for June 25 after receiving the defense statements.
17: Istanbul Artists Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen were acquitted of "insulting the President" in the lawsuit filed against them at the Anatolian 8th Criminal Court of First Instance.
17: Batman TJA activist Mekiye Ormancı was released after defending herself in the lawsuit filed against her at the 2nd Assize Court.
18: Batman In the lawsuit filed against director Veysi Alay and Batman Municipality Yılmaz Güney Theater Hall Manager Dicle Anter at the 2nd Assize Court due to the screening of documentary "Nû Jîn" in Batman on October 14, 2015; the prosecution re-started on February 18 after the 2-year 6-month imprisonment sentence against Veysi Altay and the 2-year 1-month imprisonment sentence against Dicle Anter were reversed. The court deferred the hearing to June 3 after receiving their defense statements.
19: Ankara The People's Democratic Party (HDP) Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu was sentenced to 2 years and six months of imprisonment due to "making illegal organisation propaganda" through a social media post and the sentence was approved by the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation.
19: Hakkâri In the lawsuit filed against former Co-Mayors Dilek Hatipoğlu and Nurullah Çiftçi as well as 24 former municipal assembly members at the 3rd Assize Court due to the "Co-Mayorship system", the defendants are charged with "misuse of duty." There were bruises on Co-Mayor Dilek Hatipoğlu's face due to the torture and other mistreatment she faced at the entrance of Van Type-T Prison, where she was sent. The court accepted the claim of Dilek Hatipoğlu, who indicated that her health status is not well, for an extension of time and scheduled the next hearing for February 25.
22: Diyarbakır Sur district Co-Mayor from the People's Democratic Party (HDP) Filiz Buluttekin was sentenced to 7 years and six months of imprisonment by the 11th Assize Court due to "illegal organisation membership."
22: Istanbul The lawsuit filed against six women, who performed the "Las Tesis" dance to protest male violence against women, started at the Anatolian 29th Criminal Court of First Instance. The Prosecutor will present their opinion on the basis on June 10.
23: Afyon Five women were detained in Emirdağ district due to making a propaganda of the "Hizb-üt Tahrir" organisation through a video they recorded.
23: Diyarbakır In the lawsuit filed against journalist Abdurrahman Gök, who photographed the killing of Kemal Kurkut by the police during the Newroz celebrations organised in Diyarbakır in 2017, at the 5th Assize Court; Gök is charged with "illegal organisation membership" through his social media posts and journalistic activities. The next hearing was scheduled for June 3 after the defense statements.
23: Istanbul The prosecution of artist Ferhat Tunç continued at Büyükçekmece 14th Criminal Court of First Instance due to "insulting the President." A letter was written to the German judicial institutions for the artist, who resides in Germany, to testify there. However, the German judicial bodies have denied the letter due to the existence of "freedom of expression" in Germany. The next hearing was scheduled for September 14.
24: Diyarbakır In the lawsuit filed against People's Democratic Party (HDP) former Kayapınar District Co-Mayor Besile Narin at the 4th Assize Court within the investigation against the Rosa Women's Association, the court issued the acquittal of Besile Narin.
24: Diyarbakır In the lawsuit filed at the 9th Assize Court against Yenişehir Co-Mayor from the People's Democratic Party (HDP), Belgin Diken, who was replaced with a trustee, the court denied the claim for the revocation of the travel ban against Belgin Diken after witness statements. The next hearing was scheduled for May 3.
24: Hakkâri A final decree was issued in the lawsuit filed at the 3rd Assize Court against former Co-Mayors Dilek Hatipoğlu and Nurullah Çiftçi, as well as 24 municipal assembly members due to the "Co-Mayorship system." Dilek Hatipoğlu was sentenced to 2 years, 2 months and 20 days of imprisonment due to "embezzlement" and the other Co-Mayor Nurullah Çiftçi was sentenced to 5500 TL judicial fine due to "unlawful undertaking of public position" and "misuse of duty.". The court further penalised the other municipal assembly members with judicial fines due to "misuse of duty" and deferred the announcement of the verdicts.
24: Istanbul The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) 18th and 19th session Parliament member Mahmut Alınak was sentenced to 1 year and six months of imprisonment in the lawsuit filed against him at the 22nd Assize Court due to a book he wrote with the title, "Mehmet Tunç and Bêkes."
24: Van A final decree was issued against Erciş District Co-Mayor Bayram Çiçek and Municipal Assembly members Erhan Akbaş and Abdülkerim Akbaş. The 7th Assize Court sentenced Bayram Çiçek and Abdulkerim Akbaş to 2 years and one month of imprisonment due to "willfully aiding and abetting an illegal organisation" and issued the acquittal of Erhan Akbaş.
24: Diyarbakır Journalist Hakkı Boltan was acquitted in the lawsuit filed at the 10th Assize Court within the investigation opened against the Democratic Society Congress (DTK).
25: Istanbul The prosecution of cartoonist Öznur Kalender started at the Anatolian 14th Criminal court of First Instance due to the cartoon she drew, depicting İsmailağa sect leader Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü (Cübbeli Ahmet). The lawsuit was filed upon the complaint of the Presidency and the next hearing was scheduled for July 8.
28: Aydın One person was arrested in Kuşadası with the allegation of having made illegal organisation propaganda on social media.
Other violations
02: Antalya The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations for 15 days.
02: Antalya Prisoners in Alanya were penalised with 11 days of solitary confinement due to their hunger strikes.
03: Ankara 6th Criminal Judicature of Peace issued an access ban against the article written by İsmail Saymaz on sozcu.com.tr website due to a violation of personal rights.
04: Artvin Criminal Judicature of Peace issued an access ban against the news article on cumhuriyet.com.tr on the July 15 Justice Organisation Chairman being summoned to testify due to his statements, based on a violation of personal rights.
05: Adana The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations for 15 days.
05: Osmaniye 1st Criminal Judicature of Peace issued an access ban against nuceciwan60.com website due to the protection of national security and public order.
08: Eskişehir The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations for 15 days.
10: Ankara The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) penalised Halk TV with an administrative fine due to the news reported on the show, "20th Hour with Özlem Gürses".
10: Antalya Residents were threatened after objecting to 100-year-old trees being cut down in the forest of Konyaaltı/Hisançandır Neighborhood.
10. Istanbul KRT TV was penalised with an administrative fine due to the expressions of TV presenter Zafer Arapkirli on the "Evening News", who said, "For some reason, our security forces, which have to be the police of the people, are attempted to be used as if they are militants of the ruling power." Fox TV was penalised with an administrative fine due to a news on the primetime news. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) further penalised HaberTürk Channel with administrative fines due to the expressions of former Parliament member Berhan Şimşek, who said, "The Governor is a militant, the District Governor is a militant, the judges are militants" on a show as well as against TELE1 Channel due to the expression, "dictator" used for the President on a show.
10: Maraş 2nd Criminal Judicature of Peace issued an access ban against nuceciwan70.com website due to the protection of national security and public order.
18: Hatay The Governorate banned all protests and demonstrations to be organised within the province for 15 days.
19: Ankara 9 summaries prepared against 9 Parliament members with the claim for their Parliamentary immunities to be revoked were sent to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT).
22: Kayseri 3rd Criminal Judicature of Peace issued an access ban against the website of Mesopotamia News Agency.
23: Istanbul Lawyer Mert Yaşar was detained due to his social media post on the expressions of AKP Group Deputy Chair Özlem Zengin and was arrested afterwards by the court he was sent to.
24: Ankara 33 summaries prepared against 25 Parliament members with the claim for their Parliamentary immunities to be revoked were sent to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT). (HA/SD)
