11 June 2025
A lawsuit was filed against BirGün newspaper’s Board Chair İbrahim Aydın for publishing a report mentioning Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. Aydın will be tried together with BirGün Publishing Coordinator Uğur Koç and Responsible Managing Editor Yaşar Gökdemir, who were also detained during the investigation. The three journalists are charged with “publicly insulting a public official” (Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code) and “targeting a person involved in counter-terrorism” (Articles 6/1-f and 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law). It was decided that no prosecution would be initiated against Publishing Coordinator Berkant Gültekin, who was detained on the same day.
The indictment claims that the article contained “derogatory” statements exceeding the limits of freedom of expression. The prosecution seeks prison sentences ranging from two to five years for Aydın and the other defendants. The first hearing will be held on 30 June at the Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court.
30 June 2025
The Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court held the first hearing in the case against BirGün executives tried over a report mentioning Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek. During the hearing, İbrahim Aydın, Uğur Koç, and Yaşar Gökdemir denied the accusations.
Koç stated, “The phrase ‘mobile guillotine’ belongs to CHP Chair Özgür Özel; we quoted it directly. There was no intent to insult or target anyone.” Aydın said, “The report was a follow-up to a piece already published by Sabah newspaper. There was no insult or targeting involved. We demand acquittal.” Gökdemir added, “I am not the author of the article. The report clearly falls within the scope of press and expression freedom. I request acquittal.”
Lawyers Ali Deniz Ceylan and Tolgay Güvercin criticized the targeting of BirGün, citing similar reports about Gürlek in pro-government media. The court adjourned the trial to 22 September for the preparation of the prosecutor’s final opinion.
