9 December 2025
Journalist Tuğçe Yılmaz is on trial under Article 220/6 of the Turkish Penal Code for “aiding a terrorist organisation” over freelance contributions to pro-Kurdish media outlets Yeni Özgür Politika and PolitikArt. At the first hearing before the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court, Yılmaz criticised the economic hardship faced by journalists, highlighted ill-treatment during detention, and rejected the accusations. The court lifted judicial control measures, referred the file to the prosecutor, and adjourned the hearing to 17 February 2026. Journalists Erdoğan Alayumat, Suzan Demir, Gülcan Dereli and Kemal Taylan Abatan are also defendants in the case.
