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May 15, 2026 – Turkey –
A Turkish court has sentenced Kurdish journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu to four years and two months in prison in a case that press freedom advocates say reflects the continuing judicial pressure faced by journalists reporting on Kurdish issues and political developments in Turkey.
The ruling was delivered by the Van 2nd Heavy Penal Court, which convicted Hacıoğlu on charges of “knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization.” Prosecutors had reportedly sought punishment under broader terrorism-related accusations, while defense lawyers argued that the case was based entirely on her professional journalism activities and lacked credible evidence.
Hacıoğlu was detained during a January 2026 operation linked to an Istanbul-centered investigation and later placed in pretrial detention on allegations connected to terrorism-related offenses. She spent several months in prison before being released pending trial. During court proceedings, her legal team maintained that her reporting, interviews, and journalistic contacts had been improperly criminalized.
According to reports, the court also ordered the continuation of judicial restrictions, including a travel ban. Civil society representatives and press freedom observers attended the hearings, where defense lawyers called for her acquittal and described the prosecution as an attack on independent journalism.
Following the verdict, Hacıoğlu publicly defended her work, stating that she stood behind every report and statement she had made as a journalist. Supporters and press advocates echoed those remarks, arguing that the ruling demonstrates how anti-terror legislation in Turkey continues to be used against media workers, particularly Kurdish journalists and reporters covering politically sensitive topics.
Turkey has long faced international criticism over the prosecution and imprisonment of journalists under terrorism-related laws. Press freedom organizations and monitoring groups have repeatedly warned that broad interpretations of anti-terror legislation can create a climate of intimidation for reporters, editors, and independent media outlets. Advocacy groups say cases involving Kurdish journalists frequently raise concerns about freedom of expression, judicial independence, and the criminalization of reporting activities.
Media rights defenders continue calling on Turkish authorities to protect press freedom and ensure that journalism is not treated as a criminal offense. Advocates argue that prosecutions targeting reporters can deepen self-censorship and further restrict independent coverage of political and human rights issues in the country.
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