Turkish Prosecutor Seeks Up to 10 Years in Prison for Seven Journalists Over Pro-Kurdish Publications

January 05, 2026 – Turkey – 

A prosecutor in Istanbul, Turkey, has submitted a final opinion requesting prison sentences ranging from five to ten years for seven journalists, an editor, a translator, and a sociologist, alleging that their contributions to pro-Kurdish publications constituted “aiding an armed terrorist organisation.” The case, heard by the Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court, stems from reporting and written work published in Yeni Özgür Politika and its supplement PolitikArt, outlets based in Germany that cover Kurdish issues and politics.

The defendants named in the prosecutor’s opinion include Bianet editor Tuğçe Yılmaz and journalists Erdoğan Alayumat, Suzan Demir, Taylan Abatan, and Gülcan Dereli, along with translator Serap Güneş and sociologist Berfin Atlı. Prosecutor Muhammet Yağcı argued that their published articles, coupled with royalties received from the outlets, went beyond neutral journalism and effectively supported the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK/KCK) by disseminating its messages and fostering public sympathy for its goals. The prosecution invoked Articles 220/7 and 314/2 of the Turkish Penal Code, which penalise aiding an armed terrorist organisation, to justify the requested sentences.

Prosecutors characterised Yeni Özgür Politika and PolitikArt as media vehicles linked to the PKK/KCK, asserting that the language and content of the publications went beyond “normal journalistic activity” and amounted to propaganda. The opinion argued that by contributing to and financially benefiting from these outlets, the defendants had materially supported an organisation designated as a terrorist by the Turkish state and several Western governments. The prosecution emphasised that alleged financial relationships and content dissemination were sufficient grounds for terrorism-related charges even without direct operational involvement.

The indictment follows a November 26, 2024, operation that led to raids and detentions in multiple Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Diyarbakır, Ankara, and Batman. The arrests initially included journalists, writers, poets, and media workers; several were released under judicial supervision, while others faced ongoing legal scrutiny. The current trial focuses specifically on the seven defendants’ media work and alleged links to the PKK/KCK network. The prosecution’s request for lengthy prison terms reflects broader trends of anti-terror legislation being applied to journalists, an approach that international press freedom groups have criticised.

The trial is scheduled to resume on February 17, 2026, when the defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the prosecutor’s final opinion before the court delivers its verdict. Press freedom advocates and civil society organisations have expressed concern that the case could deepen chilling effects on independent journalism in Turkey, where anti-terror laws have frequently been used against reporters and critics.

Reference –

https://bianet.org/haber/prosecutor-seeks-up-to-10-years-in-prison-for-journalists-over-contributions-to-pro-kurdish-publications-315258