Turkey brought 1,856 defendants to court on expression-related charges between September 2023 and July 2024, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) reveals in its latest report.
The report, which monitored 281 cases across 24 provinces, highlights activists, journalists and students as the most frequently prosecuted groups. Charges included “making terrorist propaganda” and defamation. Most trials occurred in Istanbul, Ankara and Diyarbakır (Amed), regions often at the centre of political dissent. “These trials reflect systematic pressure to silence criticism,” MLSA stated, calling for urgent reforms to protect freedoms.
Violations of fair trial rights were common, with over 68% of hearings starting late and restrictions on defendants’ legal defences. Despite acquittals in 74 cases, courts issued prison sentences totalling 233 years for 76 defendants. Journalists faced accusations for news reports, social media posts, and covering protests. Activists, including environmentalists and students, were frequently charged for peaceful demonstrations.
MLSA’s findings also spotlight the role of high-ranking officials, including President Erdoğan and state agencies, as complainants in many cases. This aligns with broader concerns about political interference in Turkey’s judiciary, underscored by European Court of Human Rights rulings on the misuse of defamation and anti-terror laws.
