Launching an investigation based on “anonymous witness statements” in October 2020, the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office indicted journalist Cihan Ölmez, who had been detained with 151 others. While Ölmez was in Şırnak province during the curfews and conflicts in Şırnak’s Cizre in 2015 and 2016, he is facing charges for having posted his statements to the press on social media. The Prosecutor’s Office indicted Ölmez for “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” and the indictment has been accepted by the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court (April 13).

At the hearing on July 13, the court accepted Cihan Ölmez’s excuse and ruled that a writ should be written to the instruction court in Cizre so that the journalist who attended the hearing from Cizre via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) could give his statement in company with his lawyer at the next hearing. The trial will continue on December 7 (July 13).

At the hearing held on December 7, 2021, the court ruled that a warrant should be issued against Ölmez, who did not attend the hearing. The next hearing will be held on March 1, 2022 (December 7).

At the hearing held on March 1, 2022, the court ruled that the execution of the warrant issued to take journalist Ölmez’s defense should be awaited. The next hearing will be held on June 7 (March 1).

At the hearing held on June 7, 2022, the court ruled that the execution of the warrant issued against journalist Ölmez to take his statement should be awaited. The next hearing will be held on November 22 (June 7).

At the hearing held on November 22, 2022, the court ruled that the execution of the warrant issued against Ölmez should be awaited. The next hearing will be held on May 2, 2023 (November 22).