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.
23 October 2025
The second hearing of the trial against journalist Ercüment Akdeniz, charged with “membership in an armed organization,” was held at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court. Akdeniz was brought to court from Marmara Prison, where he had been held since 22 February.
The hearing was attended by DEM Party MPs Celal Fırat and Meral Danış Beştaş, TİP MP Sera Kadıgil, CHP MP Utku Çakırözer, and RSF Turkey Representative Erol Önderoğlu, among others.
During the hearing, it was revealed that two of the three witnesses listed by the prosecution had passed away, while the third stated that he did not know Akdeniz, did not remember his previous testimony, and had not attended the meeting mentioned in the indictment.
Journalist Ercüment Akdeniz emphasized his professional identity, saying, “The public knows me as a journalist; I am known through my reporting, work, and books. The accusation of armed organization membership is irrational.”
The court ordered Akdeniz’s release under judicial control with a travel ban, ending his 243 days of pre-trial detention.
