Eren Tutel, the sports editor of BirGün newspaper, was faced with a lawsuit for “insulting a public official” (as per the Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code – TCK) due to a news report about the Turkish Wushu Federation (TWF).

Accepted by the İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance upon the complaint of TWF Deputy Chair Abdurrahman Akyüz and his daughter Elif Akyüz, the case will begin with the first hearing on September 30, 2021 (April 28).

At the hearing held on September 30, the court board ruled that the deficiencies in the file should be rectified. The next hearing will be held on February 1, 2022 (September 30).

At the hearing held on February 1, 2022, the prosecutor demanded that the deficiencies be rectified. The court board gave time to Tutel’s lawyer to make a written statement. The next hearing will be held on May 24 (February 1).

At the hearing held on May 24, the court decided to send the file to the prosecution for the preparation of the opinion as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on November 17 (May 24).

At the hearing held on November 17, 2022, the prosecutor’s office presented its final opinion as to the accusations and demanded Tutel’s penalization. The next hearing will be held on February 14, 2023 (November 17).