Mezopotamya Agency reporter Ergin Çağlar and Jinnews reporter Rozerin Gültekin were detained during the Gemlik March in Bursa, which was held with the slogan “We are marching to Gemlik to defend freedom against the policy of isolation” to protest the visitation ban imposed on Abdullah Öcalan (June 12).

Gültekin and Çağlar were taken to Bursa Police Department and then released after their statements were completed at night. Journalists were charged with “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” (June 13).

As part of the investigation conducted by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Çağlar and Gültekin were indicted on charges of “organizing, leading and participating in meetings and demonstrations in violation of the Law no. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” and faced 1 year, 6 months to 3 years in prison. The indictment against Çağlar was accepted by the Bursa 29th Criminal Court of First Instance and the first hearing will be held on December 6, 2022. With her indictment accepted by the Seferihisar Criminal Court of First Instance, Gültekin will have her first hearing on October 25 (August 31).

At the hearing held on December 1, 2022, Gültekin’s lawyer Özcan Kılıç presented a report, along with an excuse, to the court board as his client had her arm broken. Despite this, the court board ruled that Gültekin should be brought to court by force. The hearing was held on the file. The next hearing will be held on January 31, 2023 (December 1).

At the hearing held on January 31, 2023, Gültekin gave his statement at the İstanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance Clerk’s Office upon instruction. Gültekin’s lawyer Sercan Korkmaz said that they would submit their written statement of defense to the principal court (The Bursa 18th Criminal Court of First Instance). The first hearing of the trial will be held at the Bursa 18th Criminal Court of First Instance on February 21, 2023. The lawsuit filed at the Bursa 18th Criminal Court of First Instance was sent to the İstanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance upon instruction as Gültekin resided in İstanbul (January 31).