18–22 February 2025
As part of an investigation into the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), journalist Ercüment Akdeniz was taken into custody on the morning of 18 February along with around 280 other individuals. After four days in detention, he was brought before the İstanbul Criminal Judgeship of Peace, which ordered his arrest on charges of “membership in the PKK” (Turkish Penal Code, Article 314).
20 May 2025
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against journalist Ercüment Akdeniz, who was detained and arrested in February 2025, on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization” under Article 314/2 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK). The indictment alleges that Akdeniz attended several meetings organized by the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) in 2023, where statements “in line with the PKK/KCK ideology” were allegedly made. It further claims that the HDK constitutes the “urban structure of the PKK,” labeling all HDK-related activities as “organizational.” Akdeniz’s trial is scheduled to begin on 31 July at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court.
