April 2022

Turkey Weekly 25 – 30 April 2022

Turkey Today – 30.04.2022

Sending a letter from Sincan Women’s Closed Prison to the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Committee and HDP, female political prisoners said even their shoes are being searched and that they are subjected to arbitrary investigations.
Soldiers and guards were placed in the hills of Van’s Gürpınar district. It was learned that a camera trap was placed in the area.
Ali Doğan Aktay in Bodrum Type S Closed Prison is being held in solitary confinement with the “special” order of the Ministry of Justice. Aktay was arrested on charges of “membership of a terrorist organisation” in 2016. 
The Education Ministry has imposed a monetary fine on a Turkish language teacher on the grounds that he spoke Kurdish and Arabic with his students. Hüdai Morsümbül was previously expelled to another school pending an investigation.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 892 to ask those responsible for the disappearance of the students who have been detained on 4 May 1992 in İstanbul. 
Covid-19: Yesterday, 1,924 new infections and 9 deaths were registered.

Turkey Today – 29.04.2022

Kavala case no longer ECtHR’s business after Gezi verdict, says Erdoğan: “They don’t know international law. The domestic Soros will pay the price for attacking the state”. 
Germany has summoned Turkey’s ambassador in protest of the aggravated life sentence handed to Osman Kavala in the Gezi Park case. 
Turkey’s withdrawal from İstanbul Convention was “unlawful,” says Council of State prosecutor. The convention was ratified by the parliament and therefore cannot be annulled by a presidential decree, the prosecutor has stated. 
While intense military shipment is made to Hakkari and its districts with both civillian and military vehicles, it was stated that seperate departments for soldiers were established in the hospitals located at the border. 
The 10th hearing of the trial in which 38 people including journalists Kerim Karakaya, Fercan Yalçınkılıç, Mustafa Sönmez, Sedef Kabas & Merdan Yanardağ face “defying Capital Market Law” charge was held in İstanbul. Reasoning that the elements of the offense “market fraud” which the defendants were charged did not occur, the court ruled to acquit all the defendants.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published.

Turkey Today – 28.04.2022

President Erdoğan has defended the verdict in the Gezi trial and called Osman Kavala the “George Soros of Turkey.” 
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which 35 people including journalist Buse Soğütlü face “defying the Law no. 2911”, “prevention of public duty” and “damage to public property” charges for attending the 2020 Feminist Night March was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until October.
The 1st hearing of the trial in which journalist Metin Cihan faces “insulting public official because of his duties” charge upon complaint by Erdoğan’s son-in-law Berat Albayrak was held in İstanbul. The court decided to issue an arrest warrant against the journalist. Trial adjourned until October.
The 15th hearing of the trial in which newspapers distributors Mikail Tunçdemir and Ferhat Duman face “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in Van. The court adjourned the trial until June so that the case file can be completed. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 2,256 new infections and 15 deaths. 

Turkey Today – 27.04.2022

The application by the lawyer of the family of Deniz Poyraz to further investigate the “organized aspect” of the attack has been rejected. Poyraz was killed in an armed attack on the party’s İzmir provincial office last year. 
The court has rejected the request for dropping charges against HDP MP Meral Danış Beştaş despite an ECtHR ruling of rights violation. 
Former HDP deputy Halil Aksoy has been sentenced to one year in prison in the case he had been acquitted 13 years ago. 

Journalist İbrahim Haskoloğlu who was arrested on April 19th for “illegally obtaining and giving data” has been released, reports his lawyer. 
Governor of Uşak Funda Kocabıyık was dismissed from his position today after his spouse criticized the Gezi verdict. 
Journalist Umut Taştan who was taken into police custody while covering the protests against the verdict in the Gezi Case, has been released after he gave his statement at the police station. A hospital report confirms that he was battered. 
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published.

Turkey Today – 26.04.2022

Heard for the first time in the Kobane Case, Hamit Yıldırım told that he learned he was a witness just recently, and said: “80 percent of the statement does not belong to me.” 

Seriously ill prisoner Abdurrahman Yıldırım, who has 2 pieces of shrapnel in his head for the last 26 years in prison, is not released despite the medical report that says he can not maintain his life in prison.
Bar associations and rights organizations have condemned the construction works near Newala Qesaba, a site of mass graves in southeast Turkey. 
A citizen singing in Kurdish in Van was first beaten by the police, then handcuffed on the back and detained.
Covid-19: 2,511 new infections and 14 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.

Turkey Today – 25.04.2022

The court of appeals has overturned jailed politician Selahattin Demirtaş’s prison sentence of 2 years, 6 months. The court ruled that the case file shall be sent back to the high criminal court, concluding that “dividing a part of the act and penalizing it partially is against the law as it is.”
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation against CHP MP Sezgin Tanrıkulı because of his social media posts about the Armenian Genocide. The MP is under investigation for “insulting the Turkish nation and the state of the Republic of Turkey”. 
The Constitutional Court has found no rights violations in not allowing a Kurdish family to give their child the name “Ciwan” because it includes the letter w, which does not exist in the Turkish alphabet. 
The 2nd hearing of the trial in which the Secretary of the TMMOB’s Diyarbakır Provincial Coordination Board Doğan Hatun faces Article 301 charge was held in Diyarbakır. The court decided to send the case file to the prosecution so that the final opinion as to the accusations can be prepared. The trial is adjourned until June. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 2,604 new infections and 15 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Weekly 18 – 24 April 2022

Turkey Today – 24.04.2022

HDP MP Paylan (Armenian) was threatened by the ruling AKP’s spokesperson Ömer Çelik because of the bill he submitted for the recognition of the genocide. Parliamentary Speaker Mustafa Şentop returned the bill a day later because it was “against the provisions of the parliament’s bylaw.” 
Protested by Armenians in Uruguay, Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu displayed the ultranationalist “Grey Wolf” sign. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned US President Biden for describing the 1915 events as a “genocide.”

Sending a message to Sahak Maşalyan, the patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey, the president extended condolences for the Armenians who lost their lives in 1915.
13 of the 48 people detained during raids carried out in many cities within the frame of the Kobanê investigation were sent to prison.
Once again there was a Turkish drone attack on Ayn Issa. One vehicle was completely destroyed. 
Covid-19: 2,277 new infections and 15 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 23.04.2022

In the Şenyaşar case, the brother of AKP MP Ibrahim Halil Yıldız and 10 others were detained. 
In Mardin, several refugees from Rojava have been arrested on so-called terror charges. Four men are accused of being “members” of the People’s Defense Units (YPG). 
During a speech to mark April 23 Children’s Day, Turkish President Erdoğan has told children “not to get corrupt” should they “assume authority” one day.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 891 to ask those responsible for the disappearance of detained children between 1992 and 1997. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 2,654 new infections and 16 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 22.04.2022

The eighth hearing of the Gezi Case was held in  İstanbul. The presiding judge adjourned the trial until April 25th so that the defense lawyers can continue with their statements.

HDP MP Kemal Bülbül was denied to leave the country by plane. He was invited by CAN TV, a TV chanel of Alevis, to participate in some events in Europe. A ban on leaving the country was not known so far. 
HDP Doğubayazıt District co-chair Gönül Öztürk, Democratic Regions Party councillor Abdullah Ekelik and HDP former district executive Bahattin Öztürk were detained following a police raid on HDP Doğubayazıt Provincial Organization building and houses. 
Acquitting the police officer who caused the death of 5-year-old Efe Tektekin by running over him with an armored vehicle in Diyarbakır province, the court has concluded that “the police cannot be attributed negligence”. 
Human Rights Association has announced that Afghan refugees held in the İzmir Harmandalı Removal Center are forced to sign ‘voluntary return papers’: “Three refugees attempted to commit suicide, one died”. 
Covid-19: 2,898 new infections and 15 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 21.04.2022

Media watchdog RTÜK has fined Amed Radyo TV channel “because it did not submit its statement of business income”. 
The third hearing of the trial in which journalist Derya Okatan faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in Ankara. The court ruled to impose a punitive fine of 25 thousand Turkish Liras for “making propaganda for a terrorist organizaton.” 
The 6th hearing of the trial in which journalist Rojda Oğuz faces “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in Van. Giving additional time for the defense to prepare their statements against the final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until September.
CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu’s electricity has been cut off after refusing to pay the bills due to increased prices. Over 3.3 million subscribers’ electricity was cut because they were unable to pay the bills in 2021, Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 3,354 new infections and 17 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 20.04.2022

In the trial over the racist physical assault on Dedeoğulları family in Konya on May 12, 2021, the court board has rejected the requests for merging the files of two cases and arresting the defendants.  
Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Turkey’s ambassador Ali Rıza Güney and handed him a letter of protest because of its new military offensive in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 
Shepherds in border areas “not allowed to pasture animals” due to military operation into KRG. 
İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is accused of calling the Supreme Electoral Council members “fools.”. He faces four years in prison. 
Journalist Rüstem Batum whom MLSA represents in court, is acquitted of “insulting the president.” At the 17th hearing of the trial, the court decided that the elements of the offense Batum was charged with did not occur. 
Journalist İbrahim Haskoloğlu whose house was raided by the police and was detained has now been arrested for “illegally obtaining and giving personal data” reports his lawyer. 
Covid-19: 3,668 new infections and 18 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 19.04.2022

The ground and air offensive of Turkish Armed Forces against the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues. 
Human Rights Association Co-Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan has been acquitted of “being a member of an illegal organization.” There are two ongoing cases against him for “insulting the Turkish nation” and “insulting” the interior minister. 
The 6th hearing of the trial in which journalist Cengiz Candar face “praising an offence and the offender” charge was held in İstanbul. At the request of Çandar’s lawyers, the court decided to wait for the return of the rogatory letters. Trial adjourned until June. 
The 11th hearing of the trial in which journalist Hayri Demir faces “membership in a terrorist organization” was held in Ankara. Trial adjourned until June.  The İzmir Bar Association has found that nearly 100 refugees from Afghanistan were forced to sign voluntary return papers and their deportation process has been started. The Bar has filed a complaint about the ones responsible for the violations.   Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 4,217 new infections and 23 deaths. 

Turkey Today – 18.04.2022

A lawsuit has been filed against Abdülilah Poyraz, the father of Deniz Poyraz, a worker of HDP who was killed in an attack on the party’s provincial office last year in İzmir. He is facing “terrorist propaganda” charges over his statements to the press a day after the killing of his daughter. 
Ersin Aslan, who conveyed the violations of rights and violence in Patnos Type L Prison in his phone call with his family, stated that the guards acted like a “gang” and called for public support.

Police forcibly removed journalists from the area while trying to cover a press statement commemorating the 1977 May 1st Massacre. 
The 8th hearing of the trial in which Yeni Yaşam daily reporter Hatice Şahin faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in Diyarbakır. The court decided to send the case file to the prosecution for the final opinion as to the accusations to be prepared. Giving additional time for the prosecutor to prepare his final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until May.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published. 

Turkey Weekly 11 – 17 April

Turkey Today – 17.04.2022

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters plans to come to Turkey to gift his guitar to jailed Kurdish musician Nûdem Durak whose guitar was destroyed by prison guards.
HDP office in Adana’s Çukurova district has been attacked by unknown persons who tore down the signage on the building and set fire to flags of the party. There has already been an attack in the past. No one was arrested at the time. 
Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) leader Ali Babacan has announced that unidentified assailants had organized an armed attack against the party’s office in the eastern province of Malatya’s Pütürge district. 
Şenyaşar Family’s search for justice continues on day 405. The family lost three members as a result of the attacks of AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız and his relatives. 

Covid-19: 3,268 new infections and 17 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 16.04.2022

Lawyer Orhan Alphan, who intervened to the police when he used violence against the prisoner in Batman Courthouse, was subjected to police violence and got injured. The police officer who was taken into custody on April 14,  has been released. 
Journalist Mir Ali Koçer who was detained yesterday has been released. 
Soldiers of the Turkish Armed Forces detained 12 citizens in the Biradost region in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq yesterday evening. According to MA the detained citizens were tortured and many horses belonging to the citizens were killed.
Yesterday, the 2nd hearing of the trial where journalist Metin Cihan and his source face “illegally obtaining or giving personal data” charge was held in İstanbul. The court decided to accept TÜGVA’s intervention request and to ask for an expert’s report to determine when was the documents accessed, whether or not they are manipulated and whether or not if there is communication between the defendants. Trial adjourned until May.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 890 to ask those responsible for the death of Armenian intellectuals who disappeared after being detained 107 years ago. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 4,086 new infections and 19 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 15.04.2022

The court has reviewed the file of businessperson Osman Kavala, the only arrested defendant of Gezi trial, and ruled that his detention shall continue. 
Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on the grounds of Newroz celebrations, police raided many houses simultaneously early this morning. 57 people, including journalists, were detained. 
A court in Ankara has extended the detention of 48 people on remand for four days as part of the “Kobanê Investigation” launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. 
AKP has prepared a law draft demanding prison sentences from one to three years for those who release statistics without obtaining the approval of the government-run Turkish Statistical Institute. 
COVID-19: 4,425 new infections and 18 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 14.04.2022

The death report of Ferhan Yılmaz, who lost his life in Silivri Prison, has been obtained. Yılmaz whom the prison administration claimed to have died of ‘cardiac arrest’, died of ‘Contagious disease’ according to the death certificate. Video footage shows signs of torture despite official reports. 
Two children who were looking for their lost animals were injured when an object they found near the Gendarmerie Station in İdil exploded. 
Prosecutors have drafted an indictment against a group of women for wanting to cross from Kadıköy to Karaköy on March 8 to participate in the Feminist Night March.
The court of appeals has upheld the prison sentences in the trial over daily Özgür Gündem, which was closed by a Statutory Decree. At the final hearing last February, Kemal Sancılı, İnan Kızılkaya and Eren Keskin were sentenced to 6 years, 3 months in prison. 
The 10th hearing of the trial where journalist Ahmet Sever faces “insulting a public official” charge upon complaint by the Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank was held in İstanbul. The court decided to wait for the return of the rogatory letters and adjourned the trial until October.

The Supreme Court has reversed a previous ruling that the main opposition party leader should pay hundreds of thousands of liras in compensation against President Erdoğan for his claims the latter had offshore accounts on the Isle of Man.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 5,127 new infections and 21 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 13.04.2022

2 prisoners who were tortured by the guards in Silivri Prison No. 5, lost their lives. Hikmet Yılmaz, elder brother of Ferhan Yılmaz, who died in Silivri Prison, stated that his brother’s nostrils were stuffed up with cotton so that blood would not come, and said, “He was tortured and murdered 2 days before his release.” 
Construction of housing projects are continuing near a site of mass graves in Newala Qesaba / Siirt. 
Established as part of a project of the UNHCR and Union of Turkish Bar Associations for applications of legal assistance, the Translation Support Line offers services in Arabic, Persian, French and Dari, but not Kurdish. 
The hearing of the suit for damages brought against Evrensel daily columnist Ceren Sozeri and Evrensel newspaper by the CEO of Turkuvaz Media Group Serhat Albayrak was held in İstanbul. The court decided to issue another writ to the law enforcement so that the social and economic status of the litigious party can be determined. Trial is adjourned until October.
The 12th hearing of the trial where HDP Diyarbakır Branch’s Press Consultant Vedat Dağ was held in the Diyarbakır 11th High Criminal Court. Dağ was sentenced to 6 years 3 months in prison on “membership in a terrorist organization” charges and to 1 year 6 months for “propaganda” and to 2 years 6 months in prison for “threat.”
People hold a vigil in front of the HDP Cizre office following a police raid: “They want to put up a barrier between people and the HDP”
Covid-19: 5,529 new infections and 31 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 12.04.2022

As part of the investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, warrants were issued for 91 people from 13 different provinces. It was learned that 46 people were detained in the operation carried out within the scope of the “Kobanê investigation”.
The İstanbul Branch of the Lawyers for Freedom Association has announced that six prisoners who had been subjected to torture attmpted to commit suicide by taking medicine and one of the prisoners has been taken to the intensive care.
Asrın Law Office’s objection to the disciplinary punishment given to their client, PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan, was rejected on the grounds that it was due process of law and legal. Lawyers will take the decision to the Constitutional Court.
Members of the fascist group Greywolves have attacked a group of university students for listening to Kurdish music and performing the traditional halay folk dance in Karaman.
The 3rd hearing of the trial where PEN Germany’s President Deniz Yücel faces Art. 301 and “insulting the president” charges was held in İstanbul. The court decided to wait for the rogatory letters so that Yücel’s statement can be taken and adjourned the trial until September.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published. 

Turkey Today – 11.04.2022

Police raided HDP Cizre District Organisation building early this morning and detained many party members. After a two-hour searches, house raids were carried out. Several people, among them HDP District Co-chair Mesut Nart have been detained. 
A police officer in Şırnak pursued lawyer Serkan Karakaş, hit him with his car and fled the scene.  The lawyer, who is seriously injured, was rushed into surgery. Karakaş is the lawyer of a family whose child was hit by a tank. 
Prosecutors have issued a decision of non-prosecution regarding several lawyers who read out a statement about Turkey’s 2018 military operation in Syria during the “Justice Watch” demonstrations by lawyers in İstanbul’s Çağlayan Courthouse.
Road controls and searches started to increase at military and police check-points between Hakkari, Van, Bitlis and Ağrı.
Four migrants died and 25 were injured after a minibus carrying them veered off a road on April 11 near a village in Bitlis.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published. 

Turkey Weekly 4 – 10 April

Turkey Today – 10.04.2022

Prisoners in Patnos prison have started a hunger strike against the increasing repressions. 
Kurdish PEN member Nezir Çakan, who was jailed pending trial in the Kobanê Case, has been released.
The Senyaşar family’s Justice Watch in front of the Urfa Courthouse continues on its 398th day. The family lost three members as a result of attacks of AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız and his relatives. 
With his dismissal by the appointed rector halted by the administrative court, academic Can Candan is a faculty member again at Boğaziçi University. 
Covid-19: 5,609 new infections and 32 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 09.04.2022

The Constitutional Court ruled that officials’ refusal to release former HDP MP Leyla Güven in 2018 despite her re-election as a member of parliament had violated her rights.
The Constitutional Court has rejected the applications of six journalists who spent time in jail in 2020 over their reporting on Turkey’s military involvement in Libya.
The 12th Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation has partly upheld the Akhisar Heavy Penal Court’s ruling about the 2014 Soma mine explosion, where 301 miners were killed. The 20-year sentence given to Gürkan will be reduced by half to 10 years. 
The body of Mehmet Sevinç, who was jailed in Manisa Prison and died under suspicious circumstances on April 3, was not washed by an imam. No funeral vehicle was provided to carry his dead body.
Elazığ 2nd Heavy Penal Court has acquitted academician Hifzullah Kutum who was standing trial for writing “Long Live Kurdistan” on social media, and ruled that the relevant tweet is within the freedom of speech. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 889 to ask those responsible for the death of Nurettin Yedigöl who disappeared after being detained by police on April 10, 1981. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 6,986 new infections and 35 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 08.04.2022

The Constitutional Court has acknowledged that uploading the letters of a prisoner to the National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP) “violated his right to respect for privacy and freedom of communication”. 
The 8th hearing of the trial where imprisoned and gravely ill journalist Devrim Ayık faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in İzmir. Ruling to continue journalist Ayık’s detention, the court decided to adjourn the trial until June. 
The 12th hearing of the trial where 22 defendants, including journalist Adil Demirci face “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in İstanbul. The court decided to hear the anonymous witness at the next hearing. Trial adjourned until October.
CHP chair Kılıçdaroğlu was denied entry to the premises of the state-controlled Meat and Milk Board. Kılıçdaroğlu said that he was planning to talk about the recent price increases implemented by the institution.
Covid-19: 7,120 new infections and 31 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 07.04.2022

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan likened six political parties who have grouped together to oppose him to the six who united unsuccessfully to depose Hungary’s prime minister. 
Mehmet Sevinç, who had remained in Manisa Akhisar Prison for 28 years, has died after suffering cerebral bleeding.

The 5th hearing of the retrial of since shuttered Zaman newspaper columnists Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç, Mümtazer Türköne and editor Mehmet Özdemir was held in İstanbul. Giving additional time for the defense to prepare their statements against the final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until June.
The 3rd hearing of “the Özgürlükçü Demokrasi” retrial where journalists İhsan Yaşar, İshak Yasul, Mehmet Ali Çelebi, Mizgin Fendik, Pınar Tarlak, Reyhan Hacıoğlu & Hicran Urun face multiple charges was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until June. 
Upon the approval of the Justice Ministry, the trial over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been handed over to Saudi Arabia. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 9,354 new infections and 36 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 06.04.2022

A large number of houses were raided in the Ipekyolu district of Van, and 13 people were detained.
Military shipments were made to many villages on the border line of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where Turkey continues its preparations for a cross border operation. 
The prisoners in Antalya Type S Closed Prison demanded human rights defenders and the Parliamentary Human Rights Investigation Commission to conduct investigations in the prison against the provocations of the administration. 
Erdoğan has filed a lawsuit against Kılıçdaroğlu over the latter’s remarks calling him “the money collector of the gang of five,” in reference to construction companies with close ties to the government.
Covid-19: 10,314 new infections and 41 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 05.04.2022

In the operation carried out in Bodrum, 30 people were detained on the grounds that they participated in Newroz celebrations.
A speeding armored vehicle hit a civilian car in Diyarbakır. Three people, including a police officer, have been injured. 
The fifth session of the 11th hearing of the Kobanî trial was held at the Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court in the Sincan Prison Campus Court Hall in the capital city of Ankara yesterday. 
Twenty-six NGOs have thrown their support behind the Ankara branch of the Chamber of Architects after its executives were charged with “terrorism propaganda” for giving a press award to a Jin TV journalist.
The 16th hearing of the trial where journalist Rustem Batum who faces “insulting the president” charge was held in İstanbul. Batum’s lawyers reiterated their statements in the petition submitted to the court before the hearin and requested that Batum be acquitted. Giving additional time for the prosecutor present his final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until April.
The seventh hearing of the retrial of 38 people including journalist, HDP Co-Vice President and Van MP Tayip Temel and HDP Mardin MP Pero Dündar was held in Diyarbakır. The court decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against defendant H.E; for the witness stamement to be taken and for the verdict of the appeals court on the case file of defendant E.A. Trial adjourned until September.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 12,213 new infections and 37 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 04.04.2022

During house raids in Hakkari and Erzurum early this morning, 9 people, including a 3-year-old child, were detained.

Yüksekova Municipality, under the management of trustees appointed by the Ministry of Interior, sets three lands for sale located in different parts of the district.
A citzen named Yakup Avan was subjected to the torture of the gendermerie in front of his house. He was detained and then arrested. The horse of Avan who was not given an assault report, was also killed by the soldiers.
No progress was made in the 25th hearing of the Dargeçit JİTEM case, which concerns the extrajudicial killing of eight people, including five children in the Dargeçit district of the predominantly Kurdish-populated southeastern province of Mardin. The court refused to arrest the defendants and adjourned the case until July. 
The Şırnak Governor’s Office has suspended the Family Medicine Contract of Şırnak Medical Chamber Chair Dr. Serdar Küni. He was arrested in 2016 accused of treating the members of a terrorist organization during the curfew in Cizre. 
Covid-19: 12,647 new infections and 40 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 01.04.-03.04.2022

Turkey Today – 03.04.2022

The Constitutional Court has ruled that the arrest of former HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ in the Kobane trial was lawful.
Mesude Pehlivan, imprisoned in Gebze Women’s Prison, was hospitalised due to numerous illnesses, including stomach cancer. As she refused to be examined in handcuffs, the doctors threatened her. 
Hundreds of people attended the HDP congress in Malatya. 
Political prisoners in Diyarbakır prison complained of violence by prison guards in phone calls to their families.
According to DEVA Party MP Mustafa Yeneroğlu Turkey failed to achieve 165 of 261 targets in human rights action plan supported by the Council of Europe. 
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ has confirmed that Turkey will pass the Jamal Khashoggi case to Saudi Arabia.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 9,021 new infections and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 02.04.2022

The kidneys of ill prisoner Fırat Nebioğlu, for whom the Forensic Medicine Institute gave a report that he could remain in prison, failing. Nebioğlu is undergoing dialysis treatment.

Saturday Mothers came together in week 888 to ask those responsible for the death of Talat Türkoğlu who disappeared on 1 April 1996.  The Istanbul Governor’s Office has banned the Metropolitan Municipality from holding iftar dinners (fast-breaking meals) at the Sultanahmet Square.
A lawyer who has been receiving death threats since 2017, has lost his police protection after he quit his membership with the ruling AKP and joined the CHP.

Turkey’s drone attacks on Northern Syria continue. Yesterday a vehicle was targeted in the Tirbespiye district. One person died, two were injured. 
Covid-19: 11,783 new infections and 41 deaths registered in the last 24 hours. 

Turkey Today – 01.04.2022

23 summaries of proceedings seeking to lift the legislative immunity of 19 deputies, most of them from HDP have been submitted to the parliament.
Prosecutors have prepared an indictment against imprisoned former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş because of a Twitter post from 2013. 
The application of Asrın Law Office to Bursa Execution Judge for a request to visit their clients held in Imprali prison was rejected once again on the grounds of a 3-month family visit ban. 
Justice Minister Bozdağ said about the ECtHR judgments for the release of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş that Turkey had enforced 88 percent of all ECtHR judgments. 
The work has started for the construction of 8-storey buildings and luxury villas in Newala Qesaba, where hundreds of Kurds and Armenians are buried in mass graves. 
The 28th hearing of the trial where 76 people, including former DİHA reporter Engin Eren face “membership in a terrorist org.” was held in Batman. The court decided to separate the files of 10 defendants from the case file and to send the case file to the prosecution once again so that he can prepare his final opinion. Trial adjourned until May. 
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 13,367 new infections and 45 deaths in the last 24 hours.