In its report on freedom of expression cases monitored during the 2024–2025 judicial year, MLSA stated that judicial pressure continued and there was a significant increase in trials of detained individuals. According to the report, 1,696 people were tried in 275 cases during this period; most of the defendants were activists, journalists, and students. Courts tried 66 individuals in detention; this number increased by 560 percent compared to last year. The most common charges in the case files were “membership in an organization” and “organization propaganda”; news content, social media posts, and peaceful actions were presented as evidence. Istanbul, Diyarbakır, and Ankara were the cities where most of the trials took place. While 57% of the verdicts handed down during this period resulted in acquittals, a total of 197 years and 2 months of imprisonment and 95,000 TL in fines were imposed. Noting the increase in trials targeting journalists, MLSA emphasized that many journalists were detained before their trials even began. The report also noted that judicial control measures had become routine, travel bans had become automatic, and irregularities such as observers not being allowed into courtrooms had weakened the principle of open trials.
https://www.mlsaturkey.com/images/2025/AnnualReport2025/TURKCE%20DAVA%20IZLEME%20RAPORU-1.pdf
November 28, 2025
bianet