In the case heard at the Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court, the prosecutor presented his opinion on the merits of the case on January 5 regarding bianet editor Tuğçe Yılmaz, journalists Erdoğan Alayumat, Suzan Demir, Taylan Abatan, Gülcan Dereli, translator Serap Güneş, and sociologist Berfin Atlı. Prosecutor Muhammet Yağcı argued that the defendants committed the crime of “aiding an armed terrorist organization” due to articles they published in Germany-based Yeni Özgür Politika and PolitikArt and the royalties they received, and requested prison sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years. The prosecutor argued that writing articles and receiving royalties contributed to the organization’s activities. The defendants will present their defense against the indictment at the hearing on February 17.
January 5, 2026
bianet