Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
7 October 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/053) The Hakan Tosun Case…
The final hearing in the case brought before the İstanbul Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court No. 17 against two individuals, Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin, in connection with the death of journalist Hakan Tosun, took place on 7 October 2026. The court sentenced the two defendants to life imprisonment for the offence of ‘murder’.
(10/054) The Akın Birdal Case…
Proceedings continued on 7 October 2026 in the case brought before the Ankara Heavy Penal Court No. 8 concerning the wounding of Akın Birdal, former President of the Human Rights Association (İHD), as a result of an armed attack on 12 March 1998. The indictment seeks the conviction of Mahmut Yıldırım, known as “Yeşil”, on the charge of “incitement”. The court decided to send a letter to the relevant authorities requesting the detention of Mahmut Yıldırım and adjourned the hearing until 16 February 2027.
(10/055) Individuals Detained in Izmir…
On 7 October 2026, as part of an investigation into the municipality of Çeşme in İzmir, eight people were detained on allegations of “membership of an organisation to commit a crime”, “bribery”, “extortion” and “forgery of official documents”.
(10/056) The Trial of a Journalist in Ağrı…
The trial of Abdullah Kaya, a reporter for the Dicle News Agency—which was closed down by a Decree-Law—continued on 6 October 2026 at the Ağrı Heavy Penal Court No. 2. The indictment seeks the journalist’s conviction on charges of “membership of an organisation” and “aiding an organisation”. The court adjourned the hearing until 17 December 2026.
(10/057) Musician on Trial in Bitlis…
The final hearing in the case against musician Cesim Başboğa, brought before the Bitlis Heavy Penal Court No. 2 on the grounds of his singing of Kurdish song at a festival he attended, took place on 6 October 2026. The court sentenced Cesim Başboğa to 10 months’ imprisonment on the charge of “making propaganda for an organisation”.
(10/058) Mayors Removed from Office…
Mersin Metropolitan Mayor Vahap Şeker, Mersin Yenişehir Mayor Abdullah Özyiğit, Mersin Mezitli Mayor Ahmet Serkan Tuncer and Istanbul Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen, who had been arrested as part of investigations against them, were suspended from office by the Ministry of the Interior on 6 October 2026. In addition to the four mayors, the Ministry of the Interior also suspended Murat Güneş, Acting Mayor of the Ataşehir district of Istanbul, from office.
(10/059) Social Media Accounts Subject to Access Restrictions…
According to news reports published on 6 October 2026, it was learnt that, in accordance with Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 and by order of the Ankara 1st Magistrates’ Court, an access ban had been imposed on a news article published on the website https://mezopotamyaajansi44.com/ concerning commemorations held for militants who had died in clashes on various dates.
According to news reports published on 6 October 2026, it was learned that access to the website belonging to the Mesopotamia Agency had been blocked by order of the Ankara 1st Criminal Court of Peace.
According to news reports published on 7 October 2026, it was reported that access to a total of 10 X social media accounts belonging to journalists and the Independent Communication Network had been blocked by a decision of the Istanbul Criminal Court of Peace No. 7 dated 30 September 2026, on the grounds of ‘protecting national security and public order’.
[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.