4 February 2025
Cumhuriyet columnist Barış Pehlivan appeared before the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of “publicly insulting a public official in connection with his duty” (Turkish Penal Code, Article 125/3), filed upon the complaint of Boğaziçi University Rector Naci İnci.
Pehlivan argued that his article referred to YÖK disciplinary reports and academic Tuna Tuğcu’s allegations, stressing there was no intent to insult, and requested Tuğcu as a witness. His lawyer also stated that the article contained no insulting remarks.
The court decided to request information from YÖK and to consider the witness requests at a later stage, adjourning the case to 8 July 2025.
