16 January 2025

The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) filed an individual application before the Constitutional Court on behalf of journalist Erdoğan Alayumat, arguing that his digital materials were unlawfully seized in the scope of an investigation conducted in Eskişehir.

The application maintained that this constituted a violation of the right to respect for private life guaranteed under Article 20 of the Constitution, as well as the freedom of the press guaranteed under Article 28. Alayumat, a correspondent for the Germany-based daily Yeni Özgür Politika, was taken into custody on 26 November 2024 on allegations of “terrorist propaganda,” during which his digital materials were seized.

On 12 September 2023, the Eskişehir 3rd Criminal Judgeship of Peace ruled to seize and examine the digital materials. On 29 November 2024, following his interrogation by the prosecutor, Alayumat was released by the Eskişehir 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace under a travel ban.