Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
13 May 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/069) People Detained in Aydın…
As part of an investigation into the Germencik Municipality in Aydın, three municipal officials and employees were detained on May 12, 2026, on charges of “bid-rigging” and “abuse of office.”
(05/070) Individuals Detained as Part of an Investigation Centered in Antalya…
As part of an investigation into the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, 25 individuals were detained on allegations of “corruption” and “bribery” during operations conducted in Antalya, Adana, and Ankara.
(05/071) Indictment Prepared Against the Mayor and Others…
It was learned from news reports on May 12, 2026, that the Bolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had prepared an indictment against 19 individuals, including Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan. The indictment seeks the prosecution of the 19 individuals on charges of “bribery,” “extortion,” “fraud,” and “violation of the Foundations Law.”
(05/072) The Trial of a Union Leader in Gaziantep…
The trial of BİRTEK-SEN General President Mehmet Türkmen, initiated at the Gaziantep Criminal Court of First Instance No. 38 on the grounds of remarks he made during a press conference, began on May 12, 2026. Following the defenses, the court announced its decision at the first hearing, acquitting Mehmet Türkmen of the charge of “publicly disseminating misleading information” and ordering his release upon the verdict.
Mehmet Türkmen had been arrested on March 16, 2026.
(12/073) The Trial of a Journalist in Istanbul…
The final hearing in the case filed against journalist Ceren Sözeri at the Istanbul Civil Commercial Court No. 2 —based on a complaint by Serhat Albayrak, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkuvaz Media Group, regarding her article titled “Who Cost the AKP Votes?”—was held on May 13, 2026. The court ordered Ceren Sözeri to pay 20,000 TL in moral damages.
(05/074) The Trial of Journalists and Others in Şırnak…
Among the 28 individuals on trial were Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Zeynep Durgut, JINNEWS reporter Derya Ren, and Ajasa Welat reporter Mahmut Altıntaş, the trial regarding a protest held on October 15, 2024, in the Silopi district of Şırnak began on May 13, 2026, at the Silopi Criminal Court of First Instance. The indictment seeks to punish the 28 individuals for the crimes of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911” and “resisting the performance of duty.” The court adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(05/075) Filmmaker on Trial in Batman…
The final hearing in the case filed against Koray Kesik, the cinematographer of the documentary “Bakur,” at the Batman Heavy Penal Court No. 2 was held on May 12, 2026. The court sentenced Koray Kesik to 2 years and 1 month in prison for the crime of “making organization propaganda.”
(05/076) Individuals on Trial in Adana…
The trial continued on May 12, 2026, at the Adana Criminal Court of First Instance No. 13 on the grounds of a protest organized in Adana concerning workers who had not received their wages. The indictment seeks to punish the 12 individuals for the crime of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911.” The court adjourned the hearing until December 3, 2026.
(05/077) Concert Canceled in Kocaeli…
It was learnt from the news reports from May 12, 2026, it was learned that the concert singer Merve Özbey was scheduled to perform at the “A Youth Festival” event organized by the AK Party Youth Wing on May 16, 2026, in Kocaeli, but it was canceled due to backlash over her social media posts supporting Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
[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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[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.