Fırat Bulut was detained at Esenboğa Airport in Ankara on the night of March 9, when he returned from the earthquake zone Malatya.

Bulut, who was detained on the grounds of an arrest warrant issued by the Bingöl Criminal Court of Peace on the grounds of “spreading false information”, was taken to Esenboğa Airport Police Station.

After a health check on the morning of March 10, he was taken to Çubuk Courthouse. It was connected to Bingöl Criminal Court of Peace with the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The prosecutor’s office requested judicial control measures against Bulut. The court rejected the request and released Bulut (March 10).

Elbistan Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office completed its investigation on July 10, 2023. Indictment for the crime of “publicly disseminating misleading information” (TCK 217/A/1), alleging that Bulut’s post dated February 8, “Smoke was rising from the Elbistan Prison courtyards and the wards were set on fire”, was “presented in a way that would create public panic and be against public order and did not reflect the truth.” prepared.

An indictment demanding a prison sentence of up to three years was accepted against Bulut and a lawsuit was filed. The first hearing of the case, which was accepted by the Elbistan 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, will be held on October 19, 2023.

Bulut said that he was subjected to actual obstructions and threats in addition to the investigation, and announced that he had to take a break from journalism and go abroad (August 11).

The prosecutor, who expressed his opinion at the hearing held at the Elbistan 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance on October 24, 2023, requested a penalty (October 24).