Violations of Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association in April 2025

According to the findings of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) Documentation Center, the violations of rights against freedom of expression, assembly and association throughout the country in April 2025 are as follows:

Free speech

• In April, at least 22 people were detained across the country for social media posts. At least 11 people were released under judicial control, 1 person was arrested.
• The person arrested was a Galatasaray University student named Bekir Aslan, who was detained and released after a demonstration in Istanbul on April 10 to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Aslan was arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace, to which he was referred within the scope of another case filed against him, on the grounds that he carried a banner with the word “DEV-GENZ” written on it during the protests and shared a song of ‘Grup Yorum’ on his social media accounts.
• At least 4 journalists were detained across the country during April. All of the journalists, 3 of them on the condition of judicial control, were released. Thus, a total of 26 people were detained within the scope of freedom of expression in April. While 1 person was arrested, judicial control measures were applied to at least 14 people.
• The most interesting violation of freedom of expression in this context was the termination of some TV series actors by the TV channels they worked for. Aybüke Pusat, the actress of the TV series ‘Teşkilat’ broadcast on TRT, was dismissed on the grounds that she made a social media post supporting the boycott action to protest the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Later, Başak Gümülcinelioğlu and Furkan Andic, the actors of the series ‘Reporter’ broadcast on TRT Tabii, Boran Kuzum, the actor of the series ‘Bir Ruh Macerası’, which was also broadcast on TRT Tabii, and Eray Ertüren, the actor of the series ‘Kara Kış’, which was broadcast on the same channel, were also dismissed.
• A TRT employee named Abdulkadir Alan was dismissed on the grounds of a social media post he made about the institution he worked for.
• In April, 17 cases against 35 journalists continued to be heard. A total of 4 journalists who were tried in 4 cases were acquitted. A total of 6 journalists were convicted in 6 cases. The hearing of 7 cases in which 25 journalists are on trial will continue at a later date.
• The hearing of 6 separate lawsuits filed against 7 people from different walks of life continued. 4 of these people were convicted in 3 separate cases. The hearing of 2 cases in which 2 people are tried will continue. 1 person was acquitted.
• Director Kazım Öz was arrested for his film Zer at the Istanbul 24th Annual Festival. The final hearing of the case filed at the High Criminal Court was held on April 10, 2025. The court acquitted Kazım Öz on the charge of ‘making propaganda for a terrorist organization’.
• On April 13, 2025, it was learned from the news in the press that a total of 353 children were prosecuted for ‘insulting the President’ and ‘publicly insulting the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the judicial organs of the State’ across Turkey in 2024,  and a total of 44 children were sentenced to various periods of imprisonment in these cases.
• In April, access to at least 1 website, 69 social media accounts, 11 news and social media posts was blocked.

Freedom of Assembly

• In April, law enforcement officers intervened in at least 17 separate peaceful gatherings and detained at least 90 people by subjecting them to ill-treatment practices. 10 of them were arrested. At least 14 people were released under judicial control and 10 people were released under house arrest.
• The hearing of 9 separate cases in which a total of 308 people were tried across the country continued in April.
• On April 8, 2025, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that 20 separate indictments were prepared against a total of 819 people, 278 of whom were arrested, on the grounds that they participated in the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and a lawsuit was filed in the relevant criminal courts of first instance.
• 1 event was not allowed by the local administration chiefs. All actions and activities in 2 provinces were banned by the local administration chiefs for a total of 9 days

Freedom of Association

• In April, 134 members and executives of different political parties were detained and 1 person was arrested.
• The house arrest measure against Mehmet Türkmen, the chairman of the United Textile, Weaving and Leather Workers’ Union (BİRTEK SEN), was first lifted and then re-imposed upon the objection of the prosecutor’s office.
• Lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçlı, the Honorary President of the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), was also released after completing his sentence and was re-arrested and imprisoned on the grounds that he was not in good behavior upon the objection of the prosecutor’s office.
• Throughout April, 77 people were detained across the country, including municipal administrators, lawyers, and members of the music group Grup Yorum. 26 people were arrested, 34 people were released under judicial control and 4 people were released under house arrest.
• The indictments against 2 former mayors and 1 former deputy were accepted. An investigation was opened against 1 mayor.
• The indictment against Victory Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who is still in detention, has been accepted.
• The indictment against the members of the Board of Directors of the Istanbul Bar Association was accepted.
• In April, a total of 11 lawsuits filed against 12 mayors and 1 deputy continued to be heard. 4 cases resulted in convictions and 2 cases ended in acquittal, and the hearing of 5 cases will continue at a later date.
• The trial of 4 separate cases in which 14 party members and executives were tried and 5 separate cases in which 12 members and managers of professional organizations, associations, foundations, etc.  were tried continued.
• A total of 19 charges against 17 deputies were sent to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
• On April 3, 2025, 1 person was injured in a knife attack on the signature stand opened by the CHP Youth Branches in Ortahisar district of Trabzon.

1. Administrative Prohibitions, Police Intervention

01: Izmir            Emre Igor İleri, who participated in the protest marches in Izmir after the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu, said, “An insult to the president.” and “inciting the people to hatred and enmity” He was taken into custody on the grounds of doing so.

03: Adana         3 people who participated in actions and events across Turkey in protest against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were detained.

03: Ankara        The march to the Ministry of Justice was prevented by the police as part of the vigil for justice initiated by the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association to protest the release of 2 convicts of the Madimak Massacre by the President on the grounds of health problems.

03: Ankara        4 people who participated in actions and events across Turkey in protest against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were detained.

03: Istanbul      As part of the protests against Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest, 11 people, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and psychiatrist Muhammet Enes Özel, who called for a boycott on social media, were detained.

03: Istanbul       German citizen musician Davide Martello was detained and his piano was confiscated before his concert in Kadıköy Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Square. Martello was deported.

03: Istanbul       Aybüke Pusat, the lead actress of the TRT series “Teşkilat”, was dismissed on the grounds of a social media post supporting the boycott action to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

04: Istanbul       Başak Gümülcinelioğlu and Furkan Andic, the actors of the series ‘Reporter’ broadcast on TRT Tabii, who shared social media posts to support Aybüke Pusat; Boran Kuzum, the actor of the series ‘Bir Ruh Macerası’, which was also broadcast on TRT Tabii, and Eray Ertüren, the actor of the series ‘Black Winter’, were also terminated for the same reason.

05: Istanbul       The march from Eminönü Square to Karaköy Square was prevented by the police by women’s organizations regarding the allegations that some people who were detained for participating in the protests against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in custody.

06 Istanbul        A person, whose name could not be learned during the identity check at the Söğütlüçeşme metrobus stop, was subjected to physical violence by the police at the security booth where he was taken.

07: Ankara        The march planned by the students on the METU campus was prevented by the police.

07: Bursa           Eren Öner, a member of the Labor Party’s Board of Directors, was detained at the courthouse where she went to testify for the investigation against her for participating in the protests against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

07: Istanbul       2 people, whose names could not be learned at the Söğütlüçeşme metrobus stop, after the identity check “You will be beaten, beaten with batons, your mouth and nose will be broken, you will be taken to the ground” He was taken to the security booth. The 2 people who were released were then stopped again and an administrative fine of 3,500 TL was imposed on one and 70,000 TL on the other.

08: Ankara        The police intervened in the vigil started by CHP Urfa Deputy Mahmut Tanal in front of the Ministry of Justice and the tent was dismantled.

08: Bursa           To meet with his clients Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş, who are held in İmralı Prison There was no response to 9 applications made in April.

08: Istanbul      The indictment against 139 people on the grounds that they participated in the protests against the arrest of Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is 49. It was accepted by the Court of First Instance. The indictment states that 139 people ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’, ‘Resisting to prevent the execution of duty’, ‘Insulting the President’ They want him to be punished for their crimes.

09: Antalya        Musician Sevinç Eratalay was detained on the grounds that he made propaganda for the organization in his social media posts.

09: Antalya        4 people were detained in house raids due to their social media posts.

10: Antalya        On the grounds of the Diplomacy Forum to be held, all kinds of activities in the entire Serik district and in 3 neighborhoods of the Muratpaşa district were banned for 4 days between 10-13 April by the decision of the Governor’s Office.

10: Istanbul       Police intervened in the members of the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) who gathered to hold a forum in Gülhane Park and detained 47 people, including children.

11: Bursa           A prisoner who was arrested for participating in the protests against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu and placed in H-Type Prison was transferred to the hospital due to an asthma attack by the gendarmerie on duty “Let the results come out, and you will see what I will do to you.” He was threatened with words like this.

15: Ankara        The police, who intervened in the vigil in front of the Ministry of National Education by teacher candidates who were not appointed, detained one person.

15: Istanbul       Beykoz Deputy Mayor Fidan Gül said, ‘bid rigging’ and ‘Forming an organization for the purpose of committing a crime’ He was taken into custody on the allegations.

17: Ankara        Private security units intervened in the press statement that was intended to be made in front of the Rectorate building on the Hacettepe University campus.

17: Bursa           After the press release for the release of the detained students, 2 high school students were detained for their speeches.

17: Istanbul       11 municipal executives and employees, including Beşiktaş Deputy Mayor Ali Rıza Yılmaz, were detained in house raids.

17: Istanbul       Private security units intervened with physical violence against those who gathered in front of the Rectorate building on the campus of Yıldız Technical University by the “Boycott Committee”, citing the LGBTI+ flag carried.

17: Izmir            5 people, including A.B., the Deputy Mayor of Kemalpaşa district, were detained on the grounds of irregularities in the expenditures related to a concert that was to be organized by the municipality in 2024 but was canceled.

18: Istanbul       A person who came to Çağlayan Courthouse to attend the hearing of the case against him for participating in the protests held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained by the police using physical violence.

18: Izmir            Students who are members of the Democracy Gathering wanted to start a 30-day ‘Democracy and Justice Watch’ against the recent arrests and detentions, but the police prevented them.

19: Aydin          During the culling operations in the farm, where nearly 5 thousand poultry are produced under uncertified and unhealthy conditions in İncirliova district, 5 people, one of whom is a woman, who opposed the teams, were detained by the police.

19: Istanbul       On the occasion of the first month of the detention of Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the march from Istanbul University Beyazıt campus to Saraçhane Square was prevented by the police.

19: Istanbul       The Republican People’s Party wanted to build on İstiklal Street “No to genocide, massacre and deportation in Gaza” His march was blocked by the police. At least 1 person was injured. Taksim and Şişhane metro stations were closed as of 17:00 by the decision of the Governor’s Office.

19: Izmir            In the irregularity operation against the CHP’s Kemalpaşa Municipality, the suspended former Director of Culture and Social Affairs and the official of the organization company were arrested.

21: Istanbul       A person named E.Ü., who shared his social media posts about the intervention moments of the police who intervened in the protests against the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu on his social media account, was subjected to ill-treatment in custody.

22: Ankara        On the campus of Ankara University “Ali Ismail is a university” Private security units intervened and confiscated the banner from the students, who unfurled a banner with a written banner.

22: Aydin          In Efeler district, R.Y., a retired teacher, was detained by the gendarmerie on the grounds of being a member of FETO/PDY.

22: Eskisehir     The police intervened in the march held on the campus of Anadolu University regarding the students who were arrested for protesting the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, and detained 3 people.

22: Istanbul       Against the isolation practices in Y and S type prisons, Adnan Özcan and Ahmet Bilal Bay in Sincan High Security Prison No. 2 are indefinitely revolving; In Tekirdağ Karatepe High Security Prison, Mazlum Ortaç and Onur Yoldaş started an indefinite alternating hunger strike.

22: Izmir            Two lawyers who wanted to examine the file at Güzelbahçe Police Station were prevented by the police. A lawyer who reacted was pushed out of the police station.

23: Ankara        Within the scope of April 23 National Sovereignty and Children’s Day by the CHP, 1. The application for a march from the front of the parliament to Anıtkabir was rejected by the Governor’s Office.

23: Ankara        After the earthquake in Istanbul, the police intervened in the march held in the district to protest the lack of precautions against disasters and the removal of tents set up in Taksim park by the police, and detained 11 people.

24: Ankara        A march to protest Ekrem İmamoğlu’s arrest was prevented by the police.

24: Izmir            6 people were detained in the operation against the private structure of the community.

25: Ankara        Police intervened in the march in Çankaya district BirGün Newspaper reporter Havva Gümüşkaya 29 people were detained using physical violence, 4 people were arrested.

25: Izmir            In the gendarmerie operation, 4 people were detained on the grounds that they were members of the PKK and made propaganda on social media.

26: Istanbul       51 people, including Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) General Manager Şafak Başa, Bakırköy Deputy Mayor and IMM Assembly Member Ali Rıza Akyüz and IMM Bosphorus Zoning Manager Elçin Karaoğlu ‘Corruption’ He was taken into custody for the allegation.

28: Ankara        Held on the campus of Hacettepe University, “Protection and Strengthening of the Family” Private security units intervened by using physical violence against those who protested against the symposium.

28: Istanbul       The indictment against 74 people on the grounds that they participated in the protests against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu is 62. It was accepted by the Court of First Instance. The indictment alleges that 74 people ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ He is wanted to be punished for his crime. the first hearing is on April 18.

30: Istanbul       22 people, including Şahin Başaraner, Chairman of the Road Transport and Workers’ Union (KATAŞ-SEN), Kamber Saygılı, Chairman of the Limter Labor Union, and Yunus Özgür, the Organizing Secretary of the Construction Workers’ Union (İnşaat-İş), were detained in house raids on the grounds that they had called for Taksim Square.

30: Izmir            41 people were detained in the operation against 60 people who allegedly made propaganda on behalf of different organizations.

2. Investigations and Trials

03: Bursa           In Yıldırım district, a person named A.A. was detained and arrested on the grounds that he stole a bust of Atatürk in the garden of a school.

03: Istanbul      A total of at least 316 people were arrested, including 268 in Istanbul, 19 in Izmir, 19 in Bursa, Ankara, 3 in Kocaeli and 3 in Adana for participating in demonstrations and events across Turkey to protest the detention and subsequent arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu.

06: Istanbul      Businessman Kaan Ketenci for the Metropolitan Municipality in Cyprus ‘Being the manager of a criminal organization’, ‘Being a member of a criminal organization’, ‘Bribery’, ‘qualified fraud’, ‘unlawful acquisition of personal data’, bid rigging’ He was taken into custody as part of an investigation into the allegations. Ketenci, who was brought to Istanbul, was arrested.

07: Ankara        Journalist Sibel Hürtaş’s statement about the police “tormentor” 37 because of his promise. He was acquitted in the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance.

07: Istanbul      DİSK/Enerji-Sen Chairman Süleyman Keskin came to Çağlayan Courthouse and gave a statement within the scope of the investigation opened against him. Keskin was released with a ban on foreign travel.

08: Istanbul       The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared 20 separate indictments against a total of 819 people, 278 of whom were arrested, on the grounds that they participated in the protests against the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, and cases were filed in the relevant criminal courts of first instance.

08: Istanbul       Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Co-Chair Hatice Deniz Aktaş and Ebru Yiğit, Nurcan Güllübudak and Mert Unay about the 14th Congress. The case filed in the High Criminal Court continues. The indictment alleges that 4 people ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court decided to continue the house arrest measure against Umay and adjourned the hearing until May 6.

08: Istanbul       Journalist Neşe İdil has been sentenced to 60th anniversary for a social media post she made. In the lawsuit filed in the Criminal Court of First Instance ‘Public insult to religious values espoused by a section of the population’ and ‘glorifying the crime and the criminal’ He was cleared of the charges.

08: Istanbul       The indictment against journalist Rahime Karvar, who is imprisoned in Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison, is 24. It was accepted by the High Court. Journalist ‘member of the organization’ He is accused of being.  The first hearing is on June 12.

08: Istanbul       About Zeynep Tekin, a member of the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF), 26. The hearing of the case filed in the High Criminal Court has begun. Culprit ‘Being a member of an organization’He is accused of it. The court ordered Tekin’s release and adjourned the hearing until September 11.

09: Eskisehir     10 people detained during the police intervention against the 2024 Pride Parade 16. The lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance continues. The next hearing is on April 30.

09: Istanbul       An indictment was prepared against Fırat Epözdemir, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bar Association. According to the indictment, the defendant ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ and ‘Don’t make propaganda for a terrorist organization’ They want him to be punished for his crimes.

09: Istanbul       Eren Üner was sentenced to 64 years in prison on the grounds that he shared the social media posts of the police officers who intervened in the protests held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu from his own account. In the lawsuit filed in the Criminal Court of First Instance, the defendant, ‘Invasion of privacy’ He was sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison and released.

09: Istanbul       Journalists Murat Ağırel and Timur Soykan were detained in a police raid on their homes following a complaint by the former owner of the Flash Haber TV channel.

09: Istanbul       The mother and father of Berkin Elvan, who died as a result of being hit in the head by a tear gas fired by the police during the Gezi Park protests, were sentenced to 43. The verdict was announced in the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance. The Court’‘Insulting the president’ He sentenced Gülsüm Elvan to 11 months and 20 days in prison and Sami Elvan to 1 year and 2 months in prison and postponed the announcement of the verdict.

09: Istanbul       Artist Murat Germen at Sabiha Gökçen Airport ‘inciting the people to hatred and enmity’ He was taken into custody for the allegation.

09: Istanbul       3 university students were detained by the police raid on the student dormitories where they were staying. At the rally held in Kadıköy the day before “Dictator Erdogan3 students detained for carrying a poster with the words ” ‘Insulting the president’ He was arrested for alleged allegations.

09: Izmir            Due to her social media posts about lawyer Sena Yazıbağli, İzmir Karşıyaka 12. The lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance continues. The next hearing is on May 9.

10: Antalya        Ahmet Çevik, Zeliha Şengöz, Gülnur Yılmaz and Taylan Ekici were sentenced to the 23rd Anniversary of the 2024 Pride Week for their statements to the press. He was acquitted in the case filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance.

10: Istanbul       The indictment against Ahmet Saymadi as part of the investigation against the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) is 26. It was accepted by the High Court. Saymadi’s ‘being a member of an organization’Accused of LA. The first hearing in the case is on May 21.

10: Istanbul       Bekir Aslan, who was detained and released while protesting the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, was arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace on the grounds that he carried a banner with the word “DEV-GENZ” written on it and shared Grup Yorum’s song on social media.

10: Istanbul       Journalist Engin Belli, on the grounds of a news article he made about the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Sultangazi district president ‘Publicly disseminating misleading information to the public’ He was taken into custody for the allegation. Engin Belli was released on the same day by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, to which he was transferred, on the condition of a ban on traveling abroad and judicial control.

10: Istanbul       Director Kazım Öz was awarded the 24th Prize for his film Zer. In the lawsuit filed in the High Penalty ‘Don’t make propaganda for a terrorist organization’ He was acquitted of his crime.

11: Istanbul       7 people, including Ekrem İmamoğlu, were arrested in Büyükçekmece 10th District Court on the grounds of a tender held during the period when İmamoğlu was the Mayor of Beylikdüzü. My lawsuit, which was filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance, continues. The next hearing is on July 11.

11: Istanbul       14 people, 10 of whom are journalists, have been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the press release dated December 21, 2024 regarding the journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who lost their lives in Northern and Eastern Syria. The lawsuit filed in the High Criminal Court has begun. The indictment alleges that 14 people were ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ and ‘Propaganda of the organization’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court dismissed Kuray, Aygün, Sağlam, Laçin and Filiz and adjourned the hearing to May 27.

11: Istanbul       22 people, including Maltepe Mayor Ali Kılıç, who was elected from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), former Mayor of Şişli Municipality Muammer Keskin, former CHP Provincial Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu and former and current CHP executives, were arrested in the 59th Criminal Court. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance continued. The indictment states that 22 people ‘Unlawful donation, loan or borrowing, lending’ He is wanted to be punished for his crime. The next hearing is on November 19.

11: Istanbul       5 people, including Murat Hazinedar, the former mayor of Beşiktaş district elected from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), were arrested in 31. The decision hearing of the case filed in the High Criminal Court was held. Tribunal ‘Misconduct’ He sentenced the Treasurer to 2 years and 6 months in prison, Deputy Mayor Hüseyin Avni Sipahi to 2 years and 3 months, Çetin Kırişgil, Mürvet Günday and Rıfat Örnek to 1 year 10 months and 15 days in prison.

11: Istanbul       Ekrem İmamoğlu was sentenced to 14th Judicial District Court for his statements about Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. The case filed in the High Criminal Court continues. In the indictment, İmamoğlu’s ‘Public insult to a public official due to his duty’, ‘threatening’, ‘targeting people who have taken part in the fight against terrorism’ They want him to be punished for his crimes. The next hearing is on June 16.

14: Ankara        The bills prepared for 6 deputies were sent to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

14: Ankara        In the lawsuit filed against journalist Hayri Demir, ‘Don’t make propaganda for the organization’ The sentence of 2 years, 9 months and 22 days of imprisonment was handed down by the Regional Court of Appeal 22. In the case, which was re-tried after it was overturned by the Criminal Chamber, the Court found Hayri Demir ‘Don’t make propaganda for the organization’ He was again sentenced to 2 years, 9 months and 22 days in prison for the crime.

14: Istanbul       About journalist Necla Demir Arvas 23. The hearing of the case filed in the High Criminal Court has begun. The indictment alleges that Arvas ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ He was wanted to be punished for his crime. The court found Arvas to ‘helping the organization’ He sentenced him to 2 years and 1 month in prison and ordered his release with the verdict.

15: Ankara        The 75,000 TL non-pecuniary damages penalty imposed on CHP Chairman Özgür Özel for allegedly insulting the President of the Republic of Turkey was handed down by the 25th Regional Court of Justice. It was upheld by the Law Department.

16: Istanbul       Beykoz Deputy Mayor Fidan Gül, who was detained on April 15, was sentenced by the criminal judgeship of peace ‘Bid rigging’ He was arrested for alleged allegations.

16: Istanbul       C.E. was detained and arrested in connection with the armed attack on the Ashkenazi Synagogue in Beyoğlu on April 7.

16: Istanbul       Journalist Welat Ekin, about 23. In the lawsuit filed in the High Penalty ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ He was acquitted of his crime.

17: Istanbul       ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ Lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçlı, the honorary president of the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), who was released on April 16 after completing the execution of his sentence of 11 years and 3 months in prison, was re-arrested after the prosecutor’s office objected to his release.

17: Istanbul       On July 15, 2008, Ahmet Yıldız was killed by his father because he was gay. The hearing of the case, which was opened in the High Criminal Court, continued. Rejecting the lawyers’ requests for Ahmet Yıldız’s mother and sister to be heard as witnesses, the court adjourned the hearing to December 25.

18: Istanbul       On April 17, 5 of the 12 Beşiktaş Municipality managers and employees, including Deputy Mayor Ali Rıza Yılmaz, were arrested.

18: Istanbul       90 people were arrested in 65 years on the grounds that they participated in the demonstrations held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. Due to the large number of defendants in the file and the inadequacy of the physical conditions of the courtroom, the court decided to separate the files of the first 45 defendants and register them with another main number and adjourned the hearing to July 4.

18: Istanbul       62 arrests were filed against 99 people, including 8 journalists and 4 lawyers, for participating in the protests held in Saraçhane and Beyazıt Squares to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu. The hearing of another lawsuit filed in the Criminal Court of First Instance has also begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court ordered the separation of the files of 8 journalists and 4 lawyers and adjourned the hearing to a later date.

19: Istanbul       Journalist Furkan Karabay was arrested at the 56th Criminal Court after the complaint of the President and his children due to his words in a broadcast he attended. In the lawsuit filed in the Criminal Court of First Instance Insulting the ‘president’11 months and 20 days for the crime of ‘ and ‘slander’ He was sentenced to a total of 2 years and 1 month in prison, 1 year 1 month and 10 days for his crime, and the announcement of the verdict was postponed.

21: Istanbul       At an event attended by the President on April 19, he wore a “AK Party is the Cause, Inflation is the Result” and “Don’t Use Allah’s Religion, ReisA person named N.K., who unfurled banners and threw his mobile phone towards the platform where the conversation was taking place, was arrested.

21: Istanbul       49 people were arrested in 70 years on the grounds that they participated in the demonstrations held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The next hearing is on October 24.

21: Istanbul       Police officer N.D. was sentenced to 66 years of criminal detention on the grounds that he had inflicted physical violence on a person named K.Ç. in custody. The lawsuit filed in the Criminal Court of First Instance was decided.  The court found that the accused police officer ‘Intentional injury that can be remedied by simple medical intervention’ He was sentenced to 150 days in prison for the crime and postponed the announcement of the verdict.

22: Istanbul       About Human Rights Defender Nimet Tanrıkulu 24. The hearing of the case, which was opened in the High Criminal Court, continued. Tanrıkulu’s ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ He is wanted to be punished for his crime. Next session. On July 1st.

23: Ankara        Swedish journalist Joakim Medin, who was detained and arrested at Istanbul Airport on March 27, 2025 ‘Being a member of a terrorist organization’, ‘making propaganda for a terrorist organization’ and ‘insulting the President’ An indictment was prepared with their accusations.

24: Istanbul       Serpil Topal, a member of the Socialist Women’s Assemblies (SKM) Central Executive Committee, who was arrested on January 24, was arrested on January 26. The hearing of the case filed in the High Criminal Court has begun. Topal’s ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ He is wanted to be punished for his crime. After the defenses, the court decided to release the defendant and adjourned the hearing to September 18.

24: Istanbul       On July 9, 1998, the 15th Judicial District Court of the trial overturned the acquittal of sociologist Pınar Selek in the case of the explosion that killed seven people and injured 127 people in the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü. His retrial was continued in the High Court. The court adjourned the hearing until October 21.

24: Istanbul       Lawyer Seda Şaraldı, a member of the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), was sentenced to 31. The hearing of the case, which was opened in the High Criminal Court, continued. Defendant ‘Don’t be a member of an organization’ He is wanted to be punished for his crime. The next hearing is on June 24

24: Istanbul       Journalist Özlem Gürses was sentenced to 30th anniversary of the incident on her YouTube channel for her use on the ongoing political developments and conflicts in Syria. In the case filed in Asiye Ceza, the court sentenced Gürses ‘Insulting the institutions and organs of the state’ He sentenced him to 1 year and 3 months in prison and postponed the announcement of the verdict.

25: Istanbul       33 people were arrested on the grounds that they participated in the demonstrations held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court adjourned the hearing until October 15.

25: Istanbul       For the same reason, 30 people, including ETHA reporter Elif Bayburt and Evrensel reporter Nisa Demiral, were arrested in the 14th Criminal Court. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court adjourned the hearing until October 10.

25: Istanbul       For the same reason, about 36 people 74. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendants ‘Opposition to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are being asked to be punished for their crimes. The court adjourned the hearing to October 17.

25: Istanbul       On the street “Erdogan without a degree” 4 people were detained for allegedly shouting slogans and 1 person who shared this on social media. ‘House arrest’ measure and ‘ban on leaving the country’ On the same day, he was taken into custody again and transferred by the magistrate’s court to which he was transferred. ‘Public incitement to commit a crime’ He was arrested on the grounds.

26: Istanbul       About ‘Attempting to influence the proceedings’ and ‘violating the confidentiality of the investigation’ Yiğit Gökçehan Koçoğlu, the lawyer of Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer of Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who had a detention order with the allegation, went to the Police Department and surrendered. Yiğit Gökçehan Koçoğlu was released on the same day by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, to which he was transferred, on the condition of judicial control and a ban on traveling abroad.

28: Izmir            Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Izmir former Provincial Co-Chair Çınar Altan 13. The case in the High Criminal Court has been concluded. Culprit ‘Helping the organization’ 2 years and 1 month for the crime and ‘Don’t make propaganda for the organization’ He was sentenced to a total of 3 years and 4 months in prison, including 1 year and 3 months for the crime. Tribunal ‘Don’t make propaganda for a terrorist organization’ He postponed the announcement of the verdict for his crime.

29: Istanbul       On April 26, 18 of the 52 people who were detained, including Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) General Manager Şafak Başa, Bakırköy Municipality Deputy Mayor and IMM Council Member Ali Rıza Akyüz, and IMM Bosphorus Zoning Director Elçin Karaoğlu, were arrested by the criminal judgeship of peace to which they were transferred. 34 people were released, 4 of whom were under house arrest and 26 of whom were under judicial control and banned from traveling.

30: Istanbul       Republican People’s Party (CHP) Youth Branch President Cem Aydın was arrested in the 14th Judicial District Court for a social media post he made about the Chief Public Prosecutor. The hearing of the case filed in the High Criminal Court has begun. In the indictment, Aydın ‘Publicly insulting a public official due to his duty’, ‘Targeting people who have taken part in the fight against terrorism’ They want him to be punished for their crimes. The court decided to lift the signature requirement for Cem Aydın, to continue the ban on him from abroad, and adjourned the hearing to June 20.

30: Istanbul       7 people were arrested on the grounds that they participated in the demonstrations held in Saraçhane Square to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, 20. The hearing of the lawsuit filed at the Criminal Court of First Instance has begun. The indictment alleges that the defendantsTo the ‘Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’ They are asked to be punished for ‘dissent’. The court adjourned the hearing until October 2.

3. Other Practices

03: Ankara        62 bills were sent to the Turkish Grand National Assembly with the request to lift the immunity of 39 deputies who are members of the CHP, DBP, HDP, IYI Party and MHP, 1 of which is independent.

03: Ankara        A social media post made by the SOL Party regarding the boycott was blocked by a court decision upon the notification of the Information Technologies Authority.

07: Istanbul       Cem Dursun, who was held in Marmara (Silivri) Prison No. 6, was transferred to Bolu F Type Prison against his will and will.

07: Istanbul       It was learned that a sick prisoner named Soydan Akay, who was held in Marmara (Silivri) Prison No. 9, was transferred from the hospital on the prison campus to the prison campus where he was transferred with the suspicion of a heart attack, and he was taken to Prison No. 9, where he was held again with the words “high blood pressure” without treatment, and his release was postponed for the 4th time by the decision of the Prison Administration and Monitoring Board.

08: Kirikkale     Closed letters written to the Ministry of Justice by prisoners in judicial prison wards in the Closed Prison were prevented from being transmitted.

09: Istanbul       A social media post in which the boycott list was published was published by Bakırköy 1. Access was blocked by the decision of the Court of First Instance.

11: Ankara        From the data announced by the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses under the Ministry of Justice, it was learned that the total capacity of prisons is 299,881 people and the number of prisoners held in prison is 403,060. Accordingly, 103,179 people are held in prisons above capacity.

13: Ankara        3 news articles on allegations that some people were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including strip searches, after being detained during the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, 10. With the decision of the Criminal Judge of Peace, ‘protection of national security and public order’ Access was blocked on the grounds.

13: Istanbul       14 prisoners, who were arrested and placed in Marmara (Silivri) Prison within the scope of the investigations against the Metropolitan Municipality, were transferred to other prisons against their will and will.

16: Bursa           A prisoner named Esila Ayık, who was arrested and placed in Istanbul Bakırköy Women’s Prison for participating in the protests held in Bursa to protest the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, was not given the medicines she needed to use regularly for 5 days.

16: Istanbul       3 news on Halk TV, Cumhuriyet and Bianet websites where the name of a businessman is mentioned. By the decision of the Criminal Judge of Peace ‘Protection of national security and public order’ Access was blocked on the grounds.

19: Istanbul       4 people who were arrested for participating in the protests against the detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu were taken from the cell in Marmara (Silivri) Prison No. 1 and taken to single rooms. It was learned that there was no hot water running in these rooms, there was no refrigerator, the prisoners’ right to video call on the phone was restricted, and the food provided was unhygienic.

26: Ankara        5 members of Sol Genç, who distributed leaflets about May 1, were fined by the Metropolitan Municipality police on the grounds that they polluted the environment.

27: Slap             Inmates who did not accept the imposition of oral searches in T-Type Prison were not referred to hospitals.

27: Slap             The release of a prisoner named Mehmet Sayıgan, who was held in T-Type Prison and completed the execution of his sentence on March 25, 2025, was postponed for 6 months by the Prison Administration and Monitoring Board (CİGK).