An investigation was launched against Ali Ergin Demirhan, an editor for sendika.org news website, over his six tweets from the year 2018. While the journalist was charged with “insulting the President of the Republic”, the Ministry of Justice gave permission for prosecution on May 2, 2019.

With the bill of indictment accepted by the court, Demirhan had his second hearing at the İstanbul 22nd Criminal Court of First Instance on November 6, 2020. Charged with “insulting the President of the Republic”, Demirhan made explanations about each tweet of his in question, rejected the offense charged and requested his acquittal at the hearing.

Handing down its judgement, the court has ruled that Ali Ergin Demirhan shall be sentenced to 1 year, 2 months, 17 days in prison on charge of “insulting the President of the Republic”. The pronouncement of the judgement has been deferred (November 6).

Another lawsuit was filed against journalist Ali Ergin Demirhan on charge of “insulting the President of the Republic” over the same social media posts. At the hearing of the trial held at the İstanbul 22nd Criminal Court of First Instance on April 7, 2021, the court rejected the lawsuit on the grounds that it was against the Article 223/7 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CMK) as there had been a ruling given for Demirhan over the same act (April 7).