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May 07, 2026 – Turkey –
The first court hearing has opened in Istanbul in the case surrounding the killing of Turkish environmental journalist and activist Hakan Tosun, whose death last year sparked outrage among press freedom advocates and environmental groups across Turkey. The proceedings, held at Bakırköy 17th High Criminal Court, are being closely watched by journalists, rights organizations, and Tosun’s supporters, who have demanded full accountability for the attack and transparency in the investigation.
Tosun, 50, was assaulted in October 2025 while walking home in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district. Security camera footage reportedly showed two men approaching and violently attacking him before fleeing the scene. He was later found unconscious on the roadside and taken to the hospital with severe injuries, including extensive head trauma. After several days in intensive care, he died from a cerebral hemorrhage linked to the assault.
The two defendants, identified as Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin, remain in pretrial detention and are being prosecuted on charges of intentional killing. If convicted, they could face aggravated life sentences under Turkish law. Earlier controversy surrounded reports that prosecutors had initially considered lesser charges, prompting criticism from the victim’s family and legal representatives, who argued the brutality of the attack warranted murder charges.
Outside the courthouse, relatives, environmental activists, journalists, and civil society supporters gathered to call for justice and to protest what they described as a wider culture of impunity surrounding attacks on independent journalists in Turkey. Demonstrators also raised concerns about alleged failures during the early stages of the investigation, including claims that footage from nearby security cameras had been interfered with after the attack.
Rights groups reported that access to the hearing was partially restricted due to the small courtroom size, which limited attendance by observers and members of the press. Media freedom advocates said the case has become symbolic of broader concerns regarding journalist safety and shrinking press freedoms in Turkey, where reporters continue to face arrests, prosecutions, censorship, and violence.
Tosun was widely known for his reporting and documentary work focused on environmental destruction, urban transformation projects, and social justice campaigns. Advocacy organizations have urged authorities not only to prosecute the attackers but also to determine whether the killing was connected to his journalism and activism.
Reference –
Trial opens in İstanbul over death of environmental journalist
