13 May 2025
Can Öztürk, a reporter for T24, was detained on 14 May 2025 while covering protests against a conference at Boğaziçi University by Nurettin Yıldız, head of the Social Fabric Foundation, whose statements legitimizing child marriage have drawn public outrage. During his detention, Öztürk’s press card was torn, his throat was grabbed, and he was kept in a detention vehicle for eight hours. He was released the next day under judicial control by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace.
13 October 2025
The first hearing in the trial against T24 reporter Can Öztürk, charged with “resisting to prevent the performance of duty” and “participating in an unlawful assembly or demonstration without arms and failing to disperse despite warnings,” was held at the Istanbul 69th Criminal Court of First Instance. Journalist Öztürk and his lawyer Hazal Sümeli were present at the hearing. Before the defense statements began, Sümeli requested that Öztürk’s case be separated, noting that her client is a journalist; the court rejected the request. The court also ordered the appearance of the complainant police officers, who had failed to attend, and ruled that all defendants be exempt from future hearings. The next hearing is scheduled for 12 January 2026.
