The trial of journalist Hayko Bağdat for “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” with nine social media posts from the years 2017 and 2018 has begun at the İstanbul 28th High Criminal Court. The court is awaiting the execution of the warrant issued against Bağdat to take his defense. A photo of Osman Kavala and a social media message about an interview by Cemil Bayık are among the criminal evidence cited against the journalist. The trial will continue on March 4, 2021 (November 12).

Attorneys had an excuse for the hearing to be held on March 4. The hearing has been adjourned until a later date (March 4).

As reported by the MLSA, in a written notice dated April 5, 2021 and sent by the judicial authorities in Germany, the request for judicial assistance to take the statement of journalist Hayko Bağdat in Germany, his country of residence, was rejected as per the Article 2/b of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (July 30).

At the hearing held on October 15, 2021, the court board ruled that the warrant issued against Hayko Bağdat should remain in effect. The next hearing will be held on January 27 (October 15).

At the hearing held on January 27, 2022, the court board ruled that the warrant against journalist Hayko Bağdat should remain in force and its execution should be awaited. The trial has been adjourned until a later date (January 27). 

At the hearing held on June 2, the court board ruled that the warrant against journalist Hayko Bağdat should remain in force and its execution should be awaited. The next hearing will be held on September 22 (June 2).

At the hearing held on September 22, 2022, Bağdat’s lawyers recalled that their client had not yet given his testimony and reiterated their request for a letters rogatory. The court rejected this request by citing the rejection of the relevant legal authorities in Germany that had rejected the requests for letters rogatory with an emphasis on freedom of expression. The court ruled that the execution of the warrant against Bağdat should be awaited. The next hearing will be held on February 16, 2023 (September 22).