Journalist Barış Terkoğlu is on trial together with IYI Party Deputy Chairman Ahmet Zeki Üçok on charges of “insulting a public official due to the performance of his public duty;” (TCK 125/3-a) for his articles titled “How well-connected FETÖ members are saved” and “Mr. Prosecutor, I’m coming, add this article, too” published in Cumhuriyet newspaper in April 2023.

At the first hearing held on November 9 at Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, Terkoğlu requested time from the court to prepare his defense. The court accepted the time request. The next hearing is scheduled for February 22 (9 November).

21 November 2024

The Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance continued the trial of Barış Terkoğlu, columnist for Cumhuriyet newspaper, and Ahmet Zeki Üçok, retired military prosecutor and former deputy chair of the İYİ Party.

At the hearing, which was monitored by RSF representative Erol Önderoğlu, the court decided to expand the investigation. It ruled to inquire with the HSK regarding whether any action had been taken on prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü’s allegations and petition, and with the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding whether an investigation had been launched. The trial was adjourned to 8 May 2025. (21 November)