A lawsuit was filed against journalist Zübeyde Sarı on charge of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” over her social media posts. Within the scope of the lawsuit, it was demanded that Sarı be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison on the offense charged.

The investigation against Sarı was launched following a tip-off by the Istanbul Security Directorate. However, it was stated in the indictment that the investigation was launched following an inquiry by the Anti-Cyber Crimes Department, which detected “posts that might constitute a crime”, during its ”virtual patrolling activities.” 

The indictment against Sarı was accepted by the Bakırköy 24th Criminal Court of First Instance. In the indictment, the messages posted on Sarı’s social media account were cited as the grounds for the offense charged. The first hearing will be held on  June 16, 2022 (June 9).

At the hearing held on June 16, the court decided to give time to the prosecutor’s office to prepare its opinion as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on September 29 (June 16).

At the hearing held on September 29, 2022, the court ruled that the file should be sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the preparation of the opinion as to the accusations. The next hearing will be held on December 1 (September 29).

At the hearing held on December 1, 2022, the prosecutor’s office requested Sarı’s acquittal in its final opinion as to the accusations. The court ruled that Sarı should be acquitted (December 1).