Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
29 May 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/209) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
On May 28, 2025, police intervened against people participating in a “standing protest” in Taksim Square on the anniversary of the Gezi protests in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, arresting 21 people, including two children, using physical violence. The two children were released on the same day after being questioned. On May 29, 2025, 19 people were referred to the criminal court, with one facing arrest and 18 facing judicial control. The court ruled that the 19 people be released under judicial control with a travel ban and signature requirement.
(05/210) Special Security Intervention to a March in Istanbul…
On May 28, 2025, special security units intervened in a march held at the Yıldız Technical University campus in Istanbul in relation to the 2013 Gezi Park protests. It was reported that no one was detained during the intervention.
(05/211) Individuals Detained for Displaying Banners in Diyarbakır…
On May 29, 2025, at least four people, including Remzi Sürek, deputy chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Diyarbakır, and Çiğdem Özturan, district chairman of Bağlar, were detained for hanging banners reading “Azadi/Free İmamoğlu” on the old city walls in Diyarbakır in reference to Ekrem İmamoğlu, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul. The police confiscated the banners.
(05/212) Intervention Against a Kurdish Banner in Diyarbakır…
On May 29, 2025, students who attempted to enter the first graduation ceremony of the Journalism Department of the Communication Faculty at Dicle University in Diyarbakır with a banner reading “Şagirtên Apê Musa Hatin” (Apê Musa’s students have arrived) were prevented from doing so by police and private security units.
(05/213) Arrest in Antalya…
Arif Kocabıyık, a street interviewer who was arrested in Antalya on May 7, 2025, on charges of insulting the President in an interview, was released on May 14, 2025, but was re-arrested on May 15, 2025, following the acceptance of an appeal. He was released on May 26, 2025. Following the prosecutor’s appeal, Arif Kocabıyık was arrested once again on May 28, 2025.
(05/214) LGBT+ Rights Activists Detained in Istanbul…
Three LGBT+ rights activists were detained on May 28, 2025, in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul on the grounds that they had written on a wall. The three were released on the same day after giving their statements.
(05/215) Trial of Bar Association Officials in Istanbul…
The trial of Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and 10 members of the board of directors began on May 28, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 26 on charges of “making organization propaganda” and “publicly disseminating misleading information to the public” based on social media posts they made regarding journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who lost their lives in North and East Syria. The indictment seeks the punishment of the Bar Association executives for “making organization propaganda” and “publicly disseminating misleading information.” The court adjourned the hearing to September 9, 2025.
(05/216) Trial of a Political Party Executive in Istanbul…
The trial of Canan Kaftancıoğlu, former Istanbul Provincial Chair of the CHP, based on a social media post, continued on March 29, 2025, at the Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 43. The indictment seeks the punishment of Canan Kaftancıoğlu for “publicly insulting the military or security forces of the state.” The court adjourned the hearing until December 11, 2025.
(05/217) Trial of a journalist in Mersin…
The trial of journalist Vedat Örüç at the Mersin Heavy Penal Court No. 6 began on May 29, 2025. The indictment seeks the punishment of Vedat Örüç on charges of “membership in an organization.” The court decided to release Vedat Örüç and adjourned the hearing to September 16, 2025.
Vedat Örüç was detained on January 17, 2025, and arrested on January 20, 2025.
(05/218) Journalist Under Investigation…
According to news reports on May 28, 2025, an investigation was launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against journalist Altan Sancar on charges of “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” based on a social media post.
(05/219) Academic on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the case against academic Nuray Mert, who was charged based on a photo taken in Syria, was held on May 29, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 25. The court acquitted Nuray Mert of the charge of “membership in an organization.”
(05/220) Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of Erkin Barın, who is being prosecuted as part of an investigation into the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), began on May 28, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 22. The indictment seeks Erkin Barın’s punishment for “membership in an organization.” The court ruled to release Erkin Barın and adjourned the hearing to October 30, 2025.
Erkin Barın was arrested on February 18, 2025.
(05/221) Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of Melek Kızılocak, who is being prosecuted as part of the HDK investigation, began on May 28, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 22. The indictment seeks the punishment of Melek Kızılocak for “being a member of an organization.” The court ruled to release Melek Kızılocak on the condition that she not leave the country and adjourned the hearing to October 30, 2025.
Melek Kızılocak was arrested on February 18, 2025.
(05/222) Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of Şengül Erdoğan, who is being prosecuted as part of an investigation into the HDK, began on May 28, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 22. The indictment seeks the punishment of Şengül Erdoğan for “membership in an organization.” The court decided to release Şengül Erdoğan on condition that she not leave the country and adjourned the hearing until October 21, 2025.
Şengül Erdoğan was arrested on February 18, 2025.
(05/223) Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of Ayşe Bengi Çelik, who is being prosecuted as part of an investigation into the HDK, began on May 28, 2025, at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 22. The indictment seeks the punishment of Ayşe Bengi for “membership in an organization.” The court decided to release Ayşe Bengi Çelik on the condition of a travel ban abroad and adjourned the hearing to October 23, 2025.
Ayşe Bengi Çelik was arrested on February 18, 2025.
[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.