19 March 2025
Journalist and Halk TV presenter İsmail Saymaz was detained on 19 March and questioned at the Istanbul Police Department. Police searched his home before taking him into custody. According to a statement by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Saymaz was accused of having phone conversations with rights defenders Osman Kavala and Can Atalay during the Gezi Park protests in connection with his reporting. Prosecutors charged him under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code, accusing him of “aiding an attempt to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey.” A court later ordered his release under house arrest.
