MEDIA MONITORING DATABASE
Trial over “criticism of the state” – Bahadır Özgür
RELATED PERSON OR INSTITUTION
Bahadır Özgür
CITY
İstanbul
YEAR OF INTERFERENCE
2024
LAST UPDATED
18/08/2025
TYPE OF STATEMENT
Political
MEDIUM
Other
THE TITLE OF WHOSE RIGHT IS INTERFERED
Journalist
RIGHTS GUARANTEED UNDER THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Right to Impart Information and Ideas
TYPE OF INTERFERENCE
Judicial Interference
Public Prosecution Offices
File a criminal case
THE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR INTERFERENCE
Turkish Penal Code
Art. 301

1 October 2024

Journalist and writer Bahadır Özgür is facing trial over a speech he delivered on 2 October 2022 at the Mudanya Book Fair.

During the event, Özgür referred to the book “Duvar: Sedat Peker’s Confessions, Revelations and Allegations”, which he co-authored with Ahmet Şık, Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, Hakkı Özdal and Timur Soykan, and commented on the historical relationship between the state and the mafia.

Following this speech, Özgür was indicted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) on charges of “denigrating the Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and the state’s institutions and organs.” He will stand trial before the Mudanya 1st Criminal Court of First Instance, facing a prison sentence of between six months and two years. (1 October)