In the trial of 14 students who protested the invitation of theologian Nurettin Yıldız to speak at Boğaziçi University and T24 reporter Can Öztürk, who covered the protest, the prosecutor sought the journalist’s acquittal and the punishment of the students. At the fifth hearing of the case in Istanbul, the prosecutor said Öztürk had been carrying out journalistic activity during the protests on 13 May 2025 and that there was insufficient evidence that he had committed an offense. The prosecutor alleged that the other 14 defendants continued the protest despite police warnings to disperse, pushed against the police barricade and caused injuries when retaining panels collapsed. Yasemin Bölükbaşı was reported to have suffered a fractured finger. The prosecutor asked that the students be punished for “resisting to prevent the performance of duty” and “participating in an unlawful meeting and demonstration.” The students denied the charges and sought acquittal. The court adjourned the hearing until 11 January 2027 to allow preparation of the defenses.
23 October 2026
Medyascope