Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
23 January 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(01/135) Prisoner Died in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that Muhiddin Bağlan, a prisoner arrested for killing two women who were siblings in Nusaybin district of Mardin, died in Diyarbakır prison. The news reports state that the cause of death was suicide.
(01/136) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
Latif Mollaahmetoğlu and Bülent Bağcı, 2 prisoners in Izmir F Type Prison No 2, wrote a letter to Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) and stated the violations of rights they were subjected to in prison between September – December 2025. According to the letter, prisoners’ right to chat, which should be 10 hours a week, was limited to 4 hours; the number of books that prisoners can keep with them was limited to 20; books and magazines sent to prisoners by mail were not given to them; personal belongings of prisoners were distributed during ward searches; bead looms and crochets given to prisoners for handicrafts were confiscated; prisoners who were subjected to disciplinary proceedings for participating in the hunger strike in solidarity with the hunger strikes in prisons were banned from activities for 1 month; In 2 separate disciplinary investigations opened against 9 prisoners due to their protests, prisoners were sentenced to 24 months ban from visits and 9 months ban from paid work; in another disciplinary investigation, Latif Mollaahmetoğlu was sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement and 5 other prisoners were sentenced to 1 month ban from visits within the same investigation; It is learned that a prisoner named Gökhan Gündüz was sentenced to solitary confinement for 1 day and 2 other prisoners were sentenced to 1 month ban from visitation rights through the same investigation; and a prisoner named Molla Zincir was subjected to physical violence of the wardens on October 21 and December 1, 2025.
(01/137) Prisoners Prevented from Right to Access to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the letter of Latif Mollaahmetoğlu and Bülent Bağcı, 2 prisoners in Izmir F Type Prison No 2, to HRFT, that Deniz Şah was not transferred to hospital twice on December 12 and 26, 2026, on the grounds that he rejected to be transferred to a single person ring vehicle and strip search; and that 3 prisoners (Latif Mollaahmetoğlu, Gökhan Gündüz and Molla Gündüz) were not transferred to hospital on the grounds that they rejected to be transferred to a single person ring vehicle. It is also stated in the letter that prisoner Gökhan Gündüz was not referred to hospital on October 1 and December 31, 2025, and prisoner Molla Zincir was not referred to hospital on September 18 and September 30, 2025.
(01/138) Batman Torture and Ill-Treatment…
On January 22, 2026 it is learned from news coverage of January 22, 2026 that a person named M.E.T. who was detained in a house raid in Batman was subjected to torture and ill-treatment during detention and in the detention vehicle.
His lawyer stated the following in his statement to the press “According to the statements we have been informed that M.E.T. was stepped on his back and his feet and legs were stepped on, he was hit on his back with a baton, his head was hit with the butt of a gun, his ear was pulled several times and violence was applied to the point of breaking, his glasses were broken due to blows to his face, and his leg was hit with hard objects.”
Stating that the violence against M.E.T. continued after he was taken into the detention vehicle, his lawyer stated the following “It is stated that M.E.T. was tried to suffocate him by putting a bag over his head twice, and after he fainted, cold water was poured on him to make him come to his senses and he was subjected to torture and ill-treatment again. It is also stated that M.E.T. was asked to confess to a crime he did not commit, and when he refused, he was told: ‘We will take you to Batı Raman Mountain and kill you. We are not the police. He stated that he was threatened as ‘you are above the police’.”
(01/139) Police Intervention to Protests in Iğdır, Urfa, Van, Mardin, Adana, Diyarbakır…
Deniz Kaynar, DEM Party Iğdır provincial chair Deniz Kaynar, one of 18 people who were detained in police intervention to the protest in Iğdır on January 21, 2026, about attacks against Kurds in Syria, is arrested by the court on January 22, 2026. 17 people including 1 person on house confinement and 1 person on judicial control conditions with a ban on leaving the country are released.
The police intervened the protest organized for the same cause in Suruç district of Urfa on January 22, 2026 with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. As a result of the intervention 5 people were detained. 1 person was injured due to a rubber bullet hitting his face. The names of the detainees are: Beritan Aksu, Muhsin Aydoğdu, Mehmet Aslan, Muhammed Kaplan, Recep Bali.
It is learned that Sevgi Talay, who was detained in police intervention to the protest organized for the same cause in Viranşehir district of Urfa on January 21, 2026, is released by the criminal court of peace on January 23, 2026 on house confinement as a judicial control measure.
The police intervened the protest for the same cause in Van on January 22, 2026 and detained 2 people by using physical violence. Yusuf Dündar, co-chair of Van Association for Solidarity with Those Who Lost Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations (MEBYA-DER), who was detained in a house raid in Van for participating in the protests, is arrested by the criminal court of peace on January 23, 2026.
On January 23, 2026, 10 people including lawyer Musa Bender were detained in house raids in Adana for participating in protests organized for the same reason.
21 people were detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on January 22 and 23, 2026 for participating in the protests organized for the same reason.
On January 23, 2026, Diyar Koç, who was detained by torture and ill-treatment in Nusaybin district of Mardin on January 20, 2026 and was hospitalized due to torture and ill-treatment, was referred to the courthouse before the completion of treatment and was arrested by the criminal court of peace on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘violating border security’. It is reported that 4 more people are arrested together with Diyar Koç. The names of arrested people could not be learned.
The police intervened the protest for the same reason in Kızıltepe district of Mardin on January 23, 2026 and detained 5 people including a child by using physical violence. The child who was detained was released the same day after statement procedures at the police.
The police intervened the protest for the same reason in Güroymak district of Bitlis on January 23, 2026 and detained 8 people including DEM Party executives by using physical violence. It is reported that at least 1 person was injured during the intervention.
It is learned that the police prevented the march of DEM Party in Erzurum on January 23, 2026 for the same reason, and a press declaration was made in front of DEM Party building.
7 of 14 people who were detained in Batman are arrested by the criminal court of peace on January 23, 2026. The names of arrested people are: Ramazan Emun, Eyüp Yeğin, Feyruşşah Gönyeli, Şervan Demir, Devran Güven, Barış Güven, Mehmet Emin Teymur.
(01/140) Journalists Wounded While Following News in Urfa…
It is learned that 1 journalist was hit by a gas canister and 1 journalist was injured due to being hit by an armoured vehicle while covering the protest in Suruç district of Urfa on January 23, 2026, about the attacks against Kurds in Syria.
(01/141) Detained Journalist in Istanbul…
Journalist Furkan Karabay was detained on January 22, 2023 due to ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’ through a news report he published. Furkan Karabay is released by the criminal court of peace on January 23, 2026 with house confinement as a judicial control measure.
(01/142) Detained Journalists in Mardin…
5 journalists who were detained on January 21, 2026 in Nusaybin district of Mardin while covering a protest on attacks against Kurds in Syria, were released on January 23, 2026 after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office.
Detained journalists: Dicle and Fırat Journalists Association Co-Chair Kesira Önel and journalists Heval Önkol, Ferhat Akıncı, Pelşin Çetinkaya, Muhammet Ali Yılmaz.
(01/143) Detained Journalist in Iğdır on the grounds of Social Media Posts…
It is learned that journalist Mehmet Avcı was detained on the grounds of his column in a local newspaper in Iğdır and was released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on January 23, 2026.
(01/144) Detained LGBTI+ Activist in Istanbul…
On January 22, 2026, LGBTI+ and Özgür Genç Kadın activist Eylem Sıla Bayram, who was detained in Istanbul on January 21, 2026, is released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions.
(01/145) Detained People in Tunceli
3 people who were detained in house raids in Tunceli on January 22, 2026, on the grounds of social media posts, are arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on January 23, 2026 on the charge of ‘illegal organization membership’. The names of those arrested are: Rubar Yazıcı, Renas Ekmen and Baver Güçin.
(01/146) Detained Person in Batman…
On January 22, 2026, a person is detained in Batman on the allegations of making propaganda for an illegal organization.”
(01/147) Detained People in Istanbul…
2 of 13 people who were detained on January 21, 2026 through the investigation against Istanbul Bayrampaşa Municipality are arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on January 23, 2026 due to ‘bribery’, ‘embezzlement’, ‘corruption’, ‘bid rigging’. 2 people were released on judicial control conditions. It is learned that 9 people are still detained.
(11/148) Mayor on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against Ahmet Özer, the trustee-appointed mayor of Esenyurt district of Istanbul, was held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 on January 23, 2026. The court sentenced Ahmet Özer to 6 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organization member’.
Ahmet Özer was arrested on October 30, 2024 and released at the first hearing of the case on July 16, 2025, but was not released as he was arrested separately on January 21, 2025 through another investigation.
(01/149) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The final hearing of the retrial of the case against journalist Serdar Altan on the grounds of his social media posts, which were used as evidence in the case filed on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 9, was held on January 22, 2026. The court sentenced Serdar Altan to 1 year and 6 months.
(01/150) People on Trial in Istanbul…
On the grounds of the slogans shouted at the rally organized for the centenary of the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the President of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the final hearing of the case against 7 people was held on January 23, 2026 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 19. The court acquitted 7 people on the charges of ‘opposing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’ and ‘insulting the President’.
(01/151) Ban on Protests and Events in Provinces…
Governorate of Diyarbakır made a declaration on January 22, 2026 and banned all demonstrations, marches, press declarations, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and other similar events within the borders of the province and all persons and vehicles entering and leaving the borders of the province for 4 days between January 23, 2026 and January 26, 2026.
Governorate of Urfa made a declaration on January 22, 2026 and announced that, in order to prevent demonstrations, sit-ins, press declarations, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, press statements, protests and similar events within the borders of the province as well as all kinds of unlawful demonstrations and events, it is banned for 3 days between January 23, 2026 and January 25, 2026 for all persons, groups and vehicles to enter and exit the borders of the province.
(01/152) Television Channels and Platforms Penalized by RTÜK…
It is learned from news coverage of January 22, 2025 that Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed administrative fines on Sözcü TV channel for the program “İçimizden Biri”, on HBO Max digital platform for the TV series ‘Jasmine’ and on MUBİ digital platform for the movie “Passages”. It is learned that “Jasmine” and “Passages” were also removed from the catalog.
(01/153) Access Ban on Social Media Accounts and Websites…
It is learned that 3 news reports about a construction project on https://ankahaber.net/, https://www.birgun.net/ , https://www.baskagazete.com/ websites are banned to access on the grounds of protection of national security and public order by Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 1 on January 21, 2026 and the content is ordered to be deleted.
It is learned from news coverage of January 22, 2026 that 15 social media accounts of journalists Amed Dicle, Roni Aydın Dere, Akın Olgun, Doğan Cihan, Yasin Kobulan, Erdal Er, Rawin Sterk, Günay Aslan, Memed Drews, Sinan Tunçdemir, Nuri Akman, Ruşen Takva, Leyla Uca, DEM Party Mardin MP Kamuran Tanhan and former MP Ferhat Encü are banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, 3 X social media accounts of Mezopotamya news agency in Turkish, Kurdish and English are banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, 2 X social media accounts of Jinnews news agency in Turkish and Kurdish were banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, X social media accounts of Yeni Yaşam newspaper are banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, X social media account of Ajansa Welat was banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, X social media account of Etkin News Agency (ETHA) was banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 22, 2026 that, the news on https://mezopotamyaajansi44.com/ website about the expenses of trustee appointed to Halfeti Municipality is banned to access upon the demand of Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK).
It is learned from the news coverage of January 23, 2026 that, 2 news reports and 1 social media post on https://halktv.com.tr/, https://www.sondakika.com/ websites about the allegations that some of the people who were dismissed for maltreating orphaned children were reinstated, are banned to access through Article 8/A of Law No 5651.
[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.
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[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari
[5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, Yeni Yaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Tr724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar. Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.