Journalist Furkan Karabay appeared before a judge at Istanbul’s 25th Heavy Penal Court 201 days after a case was opened against him for statements made on his YouTube channel and social media posts. Karabay refused to defend himself at the hearing, saying the indictment had been prepared unlawfully, and tore up the indictment. The prosecutor demanded he be punished on three separate charges. The court sentenced Karabay to a total of 4 years and 3 months in prison: 1 year and 9 months for “insulting the president,” 1 year and 3 months for “insulting a public official,” and 1 year and 3 months for “targeting a member of the judiciary.” The prosecutors Can Tuncay and Ahmet Şahin were acquitted of the charge of targeting them. Karabay was released, taking into account the time he had already spent in custody.
December 2, 2025
Bianet