Two years after the documentary, Bakur, was screened, a lawsuit was filed against the two directors of the documentary Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and Çayan Demirel as well as Dicle Anter, who was responsible for the screening of the documentary in the province of Batman, on the charge of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”. They started to shot after the retreat call by the PKK’s (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) imprisoned Leader Abdullah Öcalan in 2013.

The Batman 2nd Heavy Penal Court yesterday (July 18) sentenced the two directors of the film to 3 years in prison each. The sentences were increased by half because the offense was committed “through press and broadcast.” The court also imposed an international travel ban on Mavioğlu and Demirel.

On February 7, the appeals court overturned the local court ruling on the grounds that Mavioğlu and Demirel were given a high sentence and no sentence reduction was implemented. The trial will be held again (February 7).

At the hearing on May 26, Mavioğlu’s lawyer Rozerin Seda Kip raised an appeal against the use of all matters of aggravation and requested her client’s acquittal. She also requested that the judicial control measure be lifted. However, the court rejected the request considering that Mavioğlu did not attend the hearing. The next hearing will be held on September 22 (May 26).

At the hearing held on September 22, 2022, the court ruled that the result of Mavioğlu’s appeals inquiry before the Court of Cassation should be awaited and that his international travel ban should remain in force. The next hearing will be held on December 22 (September 22).

At the hearing held on December 22, 2022, the court ruled that the finalization of the trial where Mavioğlu was charged with “propagandizing for an organization” and which was currently under appellate review before the 3rd Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation should be awaited and that the international travel ban on Mavioğlu should remain in effect. The next hearing will be held on March 28, 2023 (December 22).

December 14, 2023

Batman 2nd High Criminal Court sentenced journalist Ertuğrul Mavioğlu and director Çayan Demirel to 4 years and 6 months in prison each for the documentary “Bakur” shot during the peace process. At the end of the seventh hearing of the retrial, Mavioğlu and Demirel were sentenced to 1 year and 13 months each for “making illegal organization propaganda”. On October 26 (December 14), the prosecutor reiterated his opinion calling for sentences for Demirel and Mavioğlu.