March 18, 2024

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against Ece Üner, the main news anchor of Halk TV, over a social media post in which she criticized the travel ban imposed on journalist İsmail Saymaz.

Üner was taken by police for questioning as part of the investigation. She stated accusations of “publicly insulting judicial authorities” (Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code) and “attempting to influence a fair trial” (Article 288 of the Turkish Penal Code).

Following the interrogation, the prosecutor referred Üner to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, requesting judicial control measures. The court ordered her release under a travel ban and an obligation to sign at the police station once a week.

13 June 2025

The trial of journalist Ece Üner has begun at the Istanbul 19th Criminal Court of First Instance on charges filed under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. Üner is accused over her response on X (formerly Twitter) to journalist İsmail Saymaz’s post about his passport being confiscated and a travel ban imposed on him. Üner wrote: “The character assassinations by leftover FETÖ operatives have become unbearable.”

She faces up to two years in prison on charges of “publicly insulting the judicial organs of the state” and “attempting to influence a fair trial.” Üner, who had been released under a travel ban, had the restriction lifted at the first hearing. The trial will continue on 19 September 2025.