Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
17-26 May 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/123) Peace Academic Attacked in Ankara…
Peace academic Cenk Yiğiter was injured on May 20, 2025, in Ankara when he was attacked by an unknown person or persons with firearms in front of his home.
(05/124) People Injured in Van After Being Hit by a Police Armored Vehicle…
On May 21, 2025, it was reported that two people (Sabahattin Kaçak and İnanç Salgür) were injured when a police armored vehicle collided with a motorcycle in the İpekyolu district of Van.
(05/125) Political Party Leader Subjected to Torture and Other Ill-Treatment by Police in Samsun…
It was reported that Fatih Koç, the district chairman of the Yeniden Refah Party in Samsun’s Vezirköprü district, was subjected to physical violence by police following an altercation with them on March 21, 2025, and was detained. It was later reported that Fatih Koç was released after giving his statement on the same day.
In a statement issued by the Yeniden Refah Party regarding the matter, the following was stated: “Our district chairman of the Yeniden Refah Party in Samsun Vezirköprü, Mr. Fatih Koç, was involved in an altercation with police officers on the night of May 18 in the street where his home is located. It is clearly established by the footage we have and witness statements that Mr. Koç did not resist the police in any way. Despite this, it is clear that the police used excessive force, insulted him, handcuffed him behind his back, forced him to the ground, and beat him. In addition, a citizen who recorded the incident on his cell phone was raided at midnight and threatened.
(05/126) Individuals subjected to torture and other ill-treatment by the police in Muğla…
According to news reports on May 25, 2025, it was learned that Cihat Ok and Yusuf Beyazyüz, two individuals who were detained on May 20, 2025, in the Bodrum district of Muğla, were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment in a forested area where they were taken. It was learned that the two individuals sustained injuries in various parts of their bodies as a result of the torture and other ill-treatment.
The news report stated that the two individuals were released without any official proceedings or being taken to a hospital.
Cihat Ok stated the following in his statement to the press: “They came around 4 o’clock and took us away from the bus station in a hurry. They did not give us any papers or tell us why we were being taken. Yusuf works with us as a staff member. They threatened him, saying, ‘If you don’t leave here, it will be very bad for you.’ When I went to him, they started beating both of us and cursing us. They handcuffed us behind our backs, put us in the vehicle, and continued beating us (…) They took us to a forested area in the vehicle. They beat us mercilessly, shouting, ‘Here, there is no God or prophet but us.’ Our hands were handcuffed. They attacked us relentlessly with batons. As their pepper spray ran out, they brought new canisters from the car and sprayed us. They used four canisters on us. When they turned on the hot air conditioning in the car, we fainted. When we opened our eyes, we found ourselves at the police station. We were not taken to the hospital (…) We obtained a medical report (…) When the hospital police and those at the police station saw our condition, they informed their superiors. The prosecutor requested that the gendarmerie conduct the investigation. The superior of the police officers who tortured us contacted us and said, ‘I will be the arbitrator. Let’s resolve this among ourselves,’ but we refused. We filed our complaints.”
(05/127) Threatened Journalists…
According to news reports on May 16, 2025, it was learned that BirGün newspaper Ankara correspondent İsmail Arı was threatened with messages saying, “We know your home address.”
According to news reports published on May 16, 2025, journalist Osman Çaklı, who shared the news of İsmail Arı being threatened on his social media account, was also threatened.
(05/128) Number of Prisoners Who Lost Their Lives in Prisons…
According to news reports published on May 23, 2025, it was learned that the Ministry of Justice, in response to a question posed by Nevroz Uysal Aslan, a member of parliament from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Şırnak, stated that a total of 1,026 prisoners lost their lives in prisons across Turkey between July 24, 2023, and December 20, 2024.
(05/129) Prison Torture and Other Cruel Treatment…
According to news reports on May 23, 2025, disciplinary investigations were launched against 47 prisoners held in Ankara Sincan Prison No. 2 on the grounds that they had removed wires attached to prison windows, their personal belongings were confiscated, and their social, cultural, and sporting rights were restricted. It was reported that the request of prisoners who wanted to defend themselves in Kurdish was rejected. The news reported that 47 prisoners were sentenced to 15 days in solitary confinement as part of the disciplinary investigation.
(05/130) Hunger Strike in Prison…
According to news reports on May 19, 2025, it was learned that some prisoners held in the İzmir Kırıklar No. 2 F-Type High Security Prison had started a hunger strike demanding an end to the human rights violations they were subjected to.
(05/131) Prisoners Whose Release Was Postponed by the Prison Administration and Monitoring Board…
According to news reports on May 21, 2025, the release of Maruf Türkan, an inmate held at Bolu F-Type Prison who completed his life sentence on February 17, 2024, was postponed on May 14, 2025, by the Prison Administration and Observation Board (CİGK) on the grounds that he was “good behavior and lack of remorse. Maruf Türkan’s release had previously been postponed twice.
According to news reports on May 21, 2025, the release of Turgut Koyuncu, an inmate held at Izmir Kırıklar No. 1 F Type Prison, was postponed for nine months by a decision of the Prison Administration and Observation Board (CİGK) on April 7, 2025, on the grounds that he was “good behavior and lack of remorse.”
(04/132) No response to request for meeting with Abdullah Öcalan…
It has been learned that the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to the requests for a meeting made on May 16, 2025, by the family and legal guardian of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and the families and legal guardians of Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım, and Veysi Aktaş, who are being held in Imralı Prison.
(05/133) Police Intervention in a Protest in Istanbul…
On May 16, 2025, police intervened in a sit-in protest held in front of the Dolmabahçe Presidential Office in the Beşiktaş district of Istanbul regarding the events in Palestine and detained three people. The names of those detained have not been learned.
(05/134) Special Security Units Intervene in Commemoration in Ankara…
On May 16, 2025, special security units intervened in a commemoration held at Ankara University campus for Ali İsmail Korkmaz, who lost his life in Eskişehir during the 2013 Gezi protests. It was reported that no one was detained as a result of the intervention.
(05/135) Police Intervention in Commemoration in Istanbul…
On March 18, 2025, police intervened in a commemoration held in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district for İbrahim Kaypakkaya, arresting 18 people using physical violence. On May 20, 2025, 16 of them were released on judicial control by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred. Two others were arrested on charges of “making organization propaganda.” The names of those arrested were not disclosed.
(05/136) March blocked in Ankara…
On May 22, 2025, police did not allow a Pride March to take place at Hacettepe Campus in Ankara. It was reported that those who participated in the march made a press statement after the police refused to allow it.
(05/137) Police Intervention in a Sit-in in Elazığ…
It was reported that police intervened in a protest held in front of the Elazığ Çarşı Şehit Mehmet Ali Çakır Police Station by Meral Zordağ, who was protesting the dismissal of her complaints regarding male violence she had suffered, and that Meral Zordağ was removed from the scene.
(05/138) Individuals Detained as Part of an Investigation Targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality…
On May 20, 2025, as part of an investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), 20 municipal employees, including Taner Çetin, Head of the Press, Publication, and Public Relations Department, and Serap Karay, Director of Public Relations, were detained on charges of “being a leader of a criminal organization,” “being a member of a criminal organization,” “extortion,” “bribery,” “aggravated fraud,” “illegal acquisition of personal data,” and “tampering with a tender.” Among them, 13 people, including Tamer Çetin and Serap Karay, were arrested on May 22, 2025, by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred. Seven people were released, one under house arrest and six under judicial supervision.
On May 23, 2025, seven employees of Ağaç ve Peyzaj AŞ were detained on charges of “bid rigging” and “bribery” as part of another investigation targeting the İBB. They were arrested by the magistrate’s court on the same day.
Again, as part of another investigation targeting the İBB, 45 people, including KİPTAŞ General Manager Ali Kurt and İBB Deputy Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay, were detained on May 23, 2025.
(05/139) Syrian citizen rights defender detained and deported…
It was learned that Syrian refugee rights defender Taha Elgazi and his wife were detained in Istanbul on May 17, 2025, and later transferred to a deportation center. It was reported that Taha Elgazi and his wife were deported to Syria on May 19, 2025.
(05/140) Association Executive Arrested in Kocaeli…
Ruken Gülağacı, executive of the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) headquarters, was arrested on May 20, 2025, at the exit of Kocaeli Kandıra Prison, where she had gone to meet with her client, on the grounds that there was an arrest warrant against her.
Ruken Gülağacı was released on May 21, 2025, by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred, with the measure of house arrest.
(05/141) Party Executive Detained in Istanbul…
Livan Orman, a member of the Party Council of the DEM Party, was detained on May 19, 2025, on charges of “being a member of an organization.” Livan Orman was released on May 21, 2025, by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred, subject to judicial control.
(05/142) Musicians Detained in Istanbul…
Two people who took the stage at a festival organized by the Free University Movement on May 24, 2025, in Maçka Park in the Şişli district of Istanbul were arrested on the grounds that they chanted slogans.
On May 25, 2025, one person (Cem Akarsu) was arrested on charges of “insulting the president” by the court to which they were referred; one person was released on probation.
(05/143) Trial of a Human Rights Defender in Istanbul…
The trial of Selahattin Okçuoğlu, a member of the Executive Board of the Human Rights Association (İHD), began on May 20, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 26 on the grounds of two social media posts he made. The indictment seeks the punishment of Selahattin Okçuoğlu on charges of “making organization propaganda.” The court postponed the hearing to July 8, 2025.
(05/144) Trial of a Human Rights Defender in Istanbul…
The trial of Mehmet Acettin, a member of the Executive Board of the Human Rights Association (İHD), who was accused of sending money to prisoners, began on May 20, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 14. The indictment seeks the punishment of Mehmet Acettin for the crime of “providing financial support to an organization.” The court postponed the hearing to September 18, 2025.
(05/145) Trial of a journalist in Diyarbakır…
The trial of journalist Yelda Çiçek, who was detained on August 21, 2019, while covering news in Diyarbakır, began on May 20, 2025, at the Diyarbakır Criminal Court of First Instance No. 4.
The indictment seeks the journalist’s punishment for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911.” After the defense statements, the court postponed the hearing to May 27, 2025.
(05/146) Trial of a Journalist in Diyarbakır…
The final hearing of the case against journalist Naci Sapan, who was charged based on a column he wrote, was held on May 20, 2025, at the Diyarbakır Criminal Court of First Instance No. 5. The court sentenced the journalist to a fine of 9,440 TL for “insult” and postponed the announcement of the verdict.
(05/147) The Trial of a Journalist in Bitlis…
The trial of journalist Mehmet Şah Oruç at the Bitlis Heavy Penal Court No. 2 continued on May 20, 2025. The indictment seeks the journalist’s punishment for the crimes of “being a member of an organization” and “making propaganda for an organization.”
The court postponed the hearing until October 14, 2025.
(05/148) Trial of a Journalist and Municipal Official in Kocaeli…
The trial of Kocaeli Gazette reporter Cihan Polat and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Urban Planning Commission Member Av. Mehmet Nazım Gençtürk, based on a news article titled “Shocking allegations about the advisor and brother of AKP member Katırcıoğlu,” began on May 20, 2025, at the Kocaeli Criminal Court of First Instance. The indictment seeks punishment for both individuals on charges of “violation of residential immunity,” “violation of the Law on the Protection of Personal Data,” “violation of privacy,” and “defamation.” The court ruled to lift the travel ban on the two individuals and postponed the hearing to November 13, 2025.
(05/149) Trial of a Journalist in Istanbul…
The trial of journalist Merdan Yanardağ, who was charged based on a column he wrote, continued on May 22, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 2. The indictment seeks the punishment of Merdan Yanardağ for “insulting the Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and the institutions and organs of the state.” The court postponed the hearing until September 25, 2025.
(05/150) Trial of a journalist in Izmir…
The final hearing of the case against Lütfiye Burcu Kara, a reporter for the Mücadele Birliği newspaper, was held on May 22, 2025, at the Izmir Heavy Penal Court No. 2. The court acquitted Lütfiye Burcu Kara of the charge of “being a member of an organization.”
(05/151) Trial of a journalist in Mardin…
The trial of journalist Öznur Değer, who was charged with “making statements against the Turkish state” based on her social media posts, began on May 22, 2025, at the Mardin Heavy Penal Court No. 2. The indictment seeks punishment for the journalist on charges of “making propaganda for an organization.” The court decided to release Öznur Değer and postponed the hearing to October 21, 2025.
Öznur Değer was arrested on February 7, 2025.
(05/152) Trial of a Journalist in Istanbul…
The trial of journalist Tolga Şardan, who was charged with reporting on allegations of procedural irregularities in the judiciary, resumed on May 22, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 2. The indictment seeks the journalist’s punishment for “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “insulting the state’s judicial organs.” The court postponed the hearing until November 20, 2025.
Tolga Şardan was arrested on November 1, 2023, and released on November 6, 2023.
(05/153) Trial of Newspaper Owner in Diyarbakır…
The trial of Ramazan Ölçen, the owner of the Kurdish daily newspaper Azadiya Welat, which was closed by a decree, continued on May 21, 2025, at the Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 11. The indictment seeks the punishment of the journalist for “membership in an organization.” The court postponed the hearing until December 24, 2025.
(05/154) Trial of Swedish Journalist…
The indictment prepared against Swedish journalist Joakim Medin on charges of “being a member of an organization” and “making propaganda for an organization” was accepted by the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 13 on May 16, 2025. The court also decided to release the journalist upon appeal.
Joakim Medin was detained at Istanbul Airport on March 27, 2025, and was arrested by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred on March 28, 2025.
The Ankara 17th Heavy Penal Court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the indictment prepared against Joakim Medin on charges of “membership in an organization” and “propaganda for an organization” and referred the case to Istanbul.
(05/155) Trial of the Mayor of Istanbul…
The trial of Ahmet Özer, the mayor of Istanbul’s Esenyurt district, who was replaced by a trustee, began on May 23, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 14. The indictment seeks the punishment of Ahmet Özer for “being a member of an organization.”
The court ruled to continue Özer’s detention and postponed the hearing to July 14, 2025.
Ahmet Özer was arrested on October 30, 2024.
(05/156) Trial of the former CHP chairman…
The final hearing of the case filed against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, former General Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), for his remarks about a lawyer, “there is no one as dirty as this man,” was held on May 22, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 48. The court ruled to dismiss the case due to the withdrawal of the complaint by the lawyer in question.
(05/157) Trial of Former Members of Parliament and Other Individuals…
The retrial of 38 individuals, including two former members of parliament, whose sentences were overturned in the KCK Main Trial at the Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 2, resumed on May 22, 2025.
The court postponed the hearing to December 23, 2025.
(05/158) Trial of Municipal Council Members and Municipal Administrators in Istanbul…
Among them are two deputy mayors (Kartal Deputy Mayor Cemalettin Yüksel, Ataşehir Deputy Mayor Livan Gür), seven municipal council members (Üsküdar Municipal Council Member Bülent Kaygun, Sancaktepe Municipal Council Member Elif Gül, Fatih Municipal Council Member Güzin Alparslan, Tuzla Municipal Council Member Hasan Özdemir, Adalar Municipal Council Member Nesimi Aday, Şişli Municipal Council Member Sinan Gür, Beyoğlu Municipal Council Member Turabi Şen) and one individual named İ.P., the trial began on May 21, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 23. The indictment seeks the punishment of the 10 individuals for “membership in an organization.” The court ruled to continue the detention of the 10 individuals and postponed the hearing to September 2025.
The 10 individuals in question were taken into custody on February 11, 2025, and arrested on February 13, 2025.
(05/159) Trial of Party Leader in Tunceli…
The final hearing in the case against Ergin Tekin, Tunceli Provincial Chair of the Labor Party (EMEP), who was charged for remarks he made during a press conference, was held on May 23, 2025, at the Tunceli Criminal Court of First Instance No. 2.
The court sentenced Ergin Tekin to 1 year and 3 months in prison for “publicly disseminating misleading information” and postponed the announcement of the verdict.
(05/160) Trial of Association Leaders in Istanbul…
The trial of TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and TÜSİAD High Advisory Council President Ömer Aras, which was initiated at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 28, continued on May 20, 2025. The indictment seeks the punishment of two individuals on charges of “attempting to influence a fair trial” and “publicly disseminating misleading information.” The court ruled to lift the travel ban on the two individuals and postponed the hearing to September 23, 2025.
(05/161) Individuals on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of 120 people, including three lawyers, who were detained during a police intervention at a protest in front of a shopping center in the Şişli district of Istanbul against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, began on May 23, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 71. The court ruled to lift the judicial control conditions imposed on 114 individuals whose defenses were heard and postponed the hearing to November 17, 2025.
The four individuals on trial stated the following in their defenses regarding the torture and other ill-treatment they were subjected to while in custody:
“I was kept in handcuffs for hours. They made me clean the dirty detention cell. No sanitary pads were provided to those who were menstruating. No medication was provided.”
“We were kept in handcuffs until midnight. We were kept in cars in the parking lot of the Vatan Security Directorate in the cold. In the morning, they took us to the detention cell. They made us clean the dirty detention cell.”
“A female police officer mocked my gender. She said, ‘Are you a girl or a boy?’ I was verbally harassed. They handcuffed me behind my back four times. They did this even though I refused to accept it. We were kept handcuffed behind our backs for hours.”
“A police officer punched me twice in the detention vehicle. Another police officer cut my waist with a knife while removing the plastic handcuffs as I was being taken to the detention center. I have a hospital report regarding this.”
(05/162) Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of Ahmet Saymadi, who is being prosecuted as part of an investigation into the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), began on May 21, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 26. The indictment seeks the punishment of Ahmet Saymadi for the crime of “being a member of an organization.” The court ruled that Ahmet Saymadi should remain in custody and postponed the hearing to July 4, 2025.
Ahmet Saymadi was arrested on February 21, 2025.
(05/163) Persons on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the case against actors Halit Ergenç and Rıza Kocaoğlu, who testified as witnesses in an investigation targeting manager Ayşe Barım in connection with the 2013 Gezi protests, was held on May 23, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 24. The court sentenced Halit Ergenç to 1 year, 10 months, and 15 days in prison and Rıza Kocaoğlu to 1 year and 8 months in prison for “giving false testimony” and postponed the announcement of the verdict.
(05/164) Journalists Under Investigation in Diyarbakır…
It has been learned that an investigation was launched by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against four journalists (Selman Çiçek, Heval Önkol, Hevidar Önver, Dilan Kartal) for participating in a press conference held in Diyarbakır on December 20, 2024, regarding journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, who lost their lives in Syria. As part of the investigation, two of the journalists (Selman Çiçek and Heval Önkol) went to the Diyarbakır Provincial Police Department on May 21, 2025, and the other two (Hevidar Önver and Dilan Kartal) went on May 22, 2025, to give their statements.
(05/165) Journalist Under Investigation…
According to news reports on May 21, 2025, an investigation was launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against BirGün reporter İsmail Arı. The report also stated that the journalist’s request to give a statement was rejected on the grounds of confidentiality related to the investigation.
(05/166) Union Official Under Investigation…
It was learned that Ömer Furkan, Secretary of the Kocaeli 1st Branch of Eğitim Sen, who was under investigation for sharing a strike call made by Eğitim Sen on his social media account, went to the Kocaeli Provincial Police Department to give a statement.
(05/167) Publisher and Publishing House Employee Under Investigation…
An indictment prepared by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Hakkı Boltan, owner of Aram Yayınları, and Delil Zengeralp, an employee of the publishing house, over two books seized by police at the publishing house’s stand at the 8th Diyarbakır Book Fair, was accepted by the Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 4 on May 23, 2025. The indictment seeks punishment for the two individuals on charges of “making propaganda for an organization.” The first hearing of the case will be held on October 9, 2025.
(05/168) Indictment Prepared Against an Academic…
It has been learned that an indictment has been prepared by the Istanbul Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör based on a social media post he made.
The indictment seeks the punishment of Celal Şengör for “insulting the Turkish nation, the Republic of Turkey, and the institutions and organs of the state.”
(05/169) Seyithan Durdu Case…
Border Battalion 3. The trial of Y.A., commander of the Tulgalı Border Post of the Border Battalion, regarding the death of Seyithan Duru on December 28, 2024, as a result of gunfire opened by soldiers in the rural neighborhood of Avzêrk in the Saray district of Van, began on May 21, 2025, at the Van Heavy Penal Court No. 1. The indictment seeks the defendant soldier’s conviction for “murder with intent.” It was reported that Y.A. stated in his defense, “I am saddened by the death of a citizen, even if he spoke Kurdish.” The court rejected the request for Y.A.’s detention and postponed the hearing to September 25, 2025.
Y.A. was arrested on December 31, 2024, and released on January 7, 2025, following an appeal.
(05/170) Decision not to prosecute police violence…
According to news reports on May 19, 2025, it was learned that the Van Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued a decision not to prosecute the police intervention during a press conference held in Van on December 20, 2024, regarding the physical violence suffered by journalist Ruken Polat against journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, who lost their lives in Syria, on the grounds that “proportionate and gradual force was used.”
(05/171) Decision Not to Prosecute Regarding Police Violence…
According to news reports on May 22, 2025, the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office decided not to pursue a criminal complaint regarding a complaint filed by journalist Öznur Değer about being subjected to sexist remarks by a police officer while covering a news story, citing “insufficient grounds to warrant a public prosecution.”
(05/172) Concert Cancelled in Istanbul…
It has been reported that the concert by singer Linet, who holds both Turkish and Israeli citizenship, scheduled to take place on May 18, 2025, at the Maslak Yeni Gazino in Istanbul, has been cancelled due to protests held outside the venue.
Following continued reactions in the media, it was learned that Linet’s concert scheduled for May 23, 2024, at a hotel in Kozyatağı, Kadıköy, Istanbul, was also canceled.
(05/173) Concerts Cancel in Istanbul…
According to news reports on May 17, 2025, Israeli-born singer Yasmin Levy’s two concerts in Istanbul and Ankara were canceled for security reasons.
(05/174) Concert Cancelled in Rize…
It has been reported that the concert by the Madrigal Group, scheduled to take place on May 19, 2025, as part of the Youth Festival organized by the Rize Municipality, has been cancelled by the municipality.
(05/175) Cancelled Event in Istanbul…
According to news reports on May 17, 2025, an event related to East Turkistan scheduled to be held at Istanbul University has been cancelled by a decision of the rectorate.
The report also states that the “Human Rights Panel from Crimea to Sudan, from Gaza to East Turkistan” scheduled to be held at Istanbul University on April 29, 2025, has also been canceled by a decision of the rectorate.
(05/176) LGBT+ Event Banned in Istanbul…
According to news reports on May 20, 2025, it was learned that the “Queer Wedding” event to be held at Galatasaray University as part of Pride Week was banned by the university administration.
(05/177) Attack on Party Headquarters in Muğla…
On May 22, 2025, it was reported that a stone-throwing attack was carried out on the district building of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Fethiye, Muğla. It was reported that the attack caused material damage to the building. It was learned that Elyasa Yıldırım, the individual detained in connection with the attack, was arrested by the magistrate’s court.
(05/178) Ban on Images and Audio of the Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor…
On May 23, 2025, it was reported in the media that content containing images and audio of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was banned from being displayed on municipal public transportation vehicles and at stops, following an order from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
(05/179) Internet Content Subject to Access Restrictions…
It was learned that access to three news articles published on the website https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/, https://www.takvim.com.tr/, and https://www.milligazete.com.tr/ have been blocked by a decision of the Amasya Criminal Court of Peace No. 3 dated May 6, 2025.
It has been learned that access to three news articles published on the websites https://haberalternatif.com/, https://haber.sol.org.tr/, and https://www.gazetepencere.com/ regarding the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ekol TV has been blocked by the Istanbul Criminal Court of Peace No. 5 on May 9, 2025, on the grounds of violating the privacy of private life.
According to news reports published on May 16, 2025, journalist Furkan Karabay, who was arrested on charges of “insulting the President” and “targeting individuals involved in counter-terrorism efforts,” was imposed on the X social media account belonging to journalist Furkan Karabay, who was arrested on the same charges. The account was made inaccessible from Turkey under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of national security and public order.
On May 17, 2025, it was reported in the media that access to the X social media account belonging to the N12News news platform has been blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of protecting national security and public order, and the account has been made inaccessible from Turkey.
On May 23, 2025, it was reported in the media that access to a social media post related to İbrahim Kaypakkaya was blocked by a decision of the Ankara Criminal Court of Peace No. 2 on May 21, 2025.
(05/180) Individuals Detained Within the Scope of an Investigation Centered in Mersin…
On May 21, 2025, 10 people were detained in operations conducted in 5 provinces (Mersin, Ankara, Antalya, Hatay, and Çorum) as part of an investigation based in Mersin on allegations of being members of the organization’s current structure and providing financial support to the organization.
(05/181) Individuals Detained as Part of an Investigation Based in Istanbul…
On May 23, 2025, 56 active-duty soldiers were detained in operations conducted in 36 provinces as part of an investigation centered in Istanbul on the grounds of being members of an organization.
(05/182) Individuals Detained in Istanbul…
On May 24, 2025, 8 individuals were detained in house raids in Istanbul on the grounds of using ByLock.
(05/183) Individuals Detained in the Scope of an Investigation Centered in Izmir…
On May 26, 2025, 33 people were detained in operations conducted in five provinces (Izmir, Istanbul, Hatay, Gaziantep, and Manisa) as part of an investigation centered in Izmir on allegations of “providing financial support to an organization.”
[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.