Two journalists in Turkey, Ercüment Akdeniz and Yıldız Tar, are facing trial on charges of membership in an armed terrorist organisation, with prosecutors controversially using their journalism activities as key evidence, Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) reported on Tuesday.
Akdeniz and Tar were detained in February 2025, accused alongside two others of links to the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a legal platform uniting civil society groups. Prosecutors allege the HDK operates as an urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey, the EU and the US list as a terrorist organisation.
The 153-page indictment submitted by İstanbul’s Chief Prosecutor claims that participation in HDK panel discussions, social media posts, and phone conversations related to news coverage reflect “organisational activity”. No evidence of armed or violent action is presented.
Yıldız Tar, formerly an editor at Etkin News Agency (ETHA), is accused of “organisational communication” based on editorial calls and field reports during her tenure. In one cited example, Tar relayed injuries during a May Day police raid in 2013. This was interpreted by the prosecutor as proof of criminal coordination rather than journalism.
Akdeniz, a columnist and member of the socialist Labour Party (EMEP), is similarly accused based on attendance at public HDK events and remarks on youth and labour rights. He denies any formal ties to HDK, insisting his presence was strictly in a reporting capacity.
Rights groups warn the charges set a dangerous precedent by conflating press work with terrorism. The MLSA said the indictment effectively criminalises journalism and civil participation.
The defendants are charged under Article 314/2 of the Turkish Penal Code, which covers armed group membership, with enhanced penalties sought under anti-terror legislation. A trial date is expected to be set in the coming weeks.
