18 September 2025

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against Karar newspaper reporter Feyza Nur Çalıkoğlu over her report on allegations of ill-treatment in removal centers. She is charged with “publicly disseminating misleading information” (Turkish Penal Code Article 217/A).

The case stems from her article published on 7 November 2024 on karar.com, titled “Striking allegations from lawyers on Removal Centers: ‘Silent Room’ and ‘Cold Room’ torture.” The prosecution is seeking a prison sentence of between 1 and 3 years, and also requested that the journalist be deprived of certain rights by court order.

The Presidency of Migration Management under the Ministry of Interior filed a complaint, calling the report “disinformation.” The indictment claims that Çalıkoğlu misled the public when reporting on allegations of ill-treatment at the Çatalca Removal Center.

The first hearing took place on 18 September 2025 at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Çalıkoğlu did not attend the session, citing an excuse. The next hearing is scheduled for 10 February 2026.

Speaking to bianet, Çalıkoğlu stressed that her article was based on statements by lawyers and reports from several human rights institutions, including the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TİHEK). She added that if an investigation had been launched after her report, the suicide of an Afghan woman in the same removal center in August could perhaps have been prevented.