November 2022

Turkey Weekly 28 November – 30 November 2022

Turkey Today – 30.11.2022
Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said Turkey may start ground offensive in northern Syria “at any moment”. 
According to his lawyers a CPT delegation might not have met Abdullah Öcalan during their prison visit in September. 
After Selahattin Demirtaş DBP Co-Chair Saliha Aydeniz and HDP MPs Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Nuran İmir and Erdal Aydemir applied to the Ministry of Justice for a meeting with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. 
The body of HPG member Ferhat Acar, who lost his life in the clash in the Cîlo area of Hakkari, was given to his family 185 days later.
The 34th hearing of the trial in which 31 people, including journalist Engin Eren face “membership in a terrorist organization” charges was held in Batman. Lastly, the court sentenced 2 defendants to 6 years and 3 months in prison. 
The prosecution has demanded a life sentence for Deva Party’s Metin Gürcan, a former military officer, an academic and a politician, on “espionage” charges. 

Turkey Today – 29.11.2022
Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office on the allegation of “membership in a terrorist organization”, 50 women in 14 cities were detained.
Lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their client. 
Turkish authorities have threatened Azerbaijani Saida and Italian Dalila, who were detained during the protest to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov. 25 in Istanbul, with deportation. 
The 22nd hearing of the trial in which the since-shuttered Dicle News Agency’s (DİHA) reporter Şerife Oruç faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in Batman. The court decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Oruç. Trial adjourned until March. 
The sixth hearing of the retrial in which journalists Ahmet Memiş, Ali Akkuş, Cemal Azmi Kalyoncu, Gökçe Fırat Çulhaoğlu, Ünal Tanık, Yakup Çetin and Yetkin Yıldız face “aiding a terrorist organization” charge was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until February. 
The first hearing of the retrial in which the since-shuttered Azadiya Welat daily’s former editor-in-chief İsmail Çoban faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” 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. Trial adjourned until January. 
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has once again accused opposition-run Istanbul Municipality, saying 1668 personnel they hired are linked to “terrorist organizations.” 

Turkey Today – 28.11.2022
Seven soldiers were killed during the “Claw-Lock Operation” in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Defense Ministry has announced.

According to the Interior Minister the brother of Bilal Hassan, who is believed to have escaped to Bulgaria after the deadly November 13 İstanbul bomb attack, has been detained.
Tahir Elçi, the former chair of the Diyarbakır Bar was commemorated outside of courthouses in Diyarbakır and several other cities on the anniversary of his assassination. In 2015 Elçi attended a TV programme where he said “The PKK is not a terrorist organization.” 
Six political parties constituting the opposition alliance (Table of 6) announced the Constitutional amendment proposals they agree upon for the Strengthened Parliamentary System they propose. 
The ninth hearing of the retrial of since-shuttered Zaman newspaper’s columnists Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç, Mümtaz’er Türköne, Ahmet Turan Alkan and editor Mehmet Özdemir was held in İstanbul. The court sentenced Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç and Ahmet Turan Alkan to 2 years and 6 months in prison. Mümtazer Türköne sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison. 

Turkey Weekly 21 – 27 November 2022

Turkey Today – 27.11.2022
Turkey bombed the village of Eyn Deqnê and Minix Airport in Shehba. Bombing of other areas in Rojava continued the whole night. 
A lawsuit was filed against Mersin Metropolitan Municipality employee M.Y. on the allegation of “being a member of an organization” for participating in the HDP Youth Council Congress.
Police raised several houses in Mardin. 6 people were detained, including DBP politician Emine Akyüz, the former co-mayor of Kızıltepe, Ismail Asi, and HDP politician Fettah Tekin. 
16 people were taken into custody during police raids in Hakkari. In Kars police detained 3 people. 
25 people detained on Friday in Mersin are still in custody. 
The Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family has reached day 629. The sit-in was launched on March 9, 2021 by Emine Şenyaşar, who lost her husband and two sons as a result of the attack carried out by AKP MP İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives in the Suruç province of Urfa, on June 14, 2018. 

Turkey Today – 26.11.2022
Turkey’s attacks on the Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria continue. 
200 women detained in yesterday’s women’s march have been released. 
Two people were detained in house raids in Şırnak’s Hezex and Silopi districts. It was stated that the number of detentions could increase throughout the city. 
30 people whose houses and workplaces were raided in the morning on the grounds of an unfounded denunciation were detained in Diyarbakır. 
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya has issued new restrictions on Istiklal Avenue where the bomb attack killed six people. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 922 to ask those responsible for the death of Nihat Aydoğan who was detained in Mardin on 30 November 1994.

Turkey Today – 25.11.2022
An indictment has been prepared against TTB President Şebnem Korur Fincancı, who was arrested for her scientific statements regarding Turkey’s chemical weapons attacks, seeking seven years and six months in jail for her.
Women and LGBTI+s gathered in Tünel Square in Beyoğlu, İstanbul, to mark the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women. The police blocked all streets leading to İstiklal Avenue. Police use pepper spray on women. 
Women’s demonstrations were also prevented in four Kurdish-majority provinces. 

Defense minister Hulusi Akar has denied the reports that Türkiye’s warplanes hit areas near a US base in northern Syria.  
In the Çorlu train derailment case, the court has released a maintenance manager, who was the only defendant behind bars. 25 people, including seven children, were killed and 340 others were injured in 2018. 

Turkey Today – 24.11.2022
Many villages and towns in northern Syria have been bombed by Turkey since the morning hours.
İstanbul’s Beyoğlu District Governor’s Office has declared a demonstration ban ahead of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The Constitutional Court has rejected the appeal where 18 lawyers were sentenced to a total imprisonment of over 159 years, stating “there is no violation” but without giving any justification.
The Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family has reached day 626. Continuing the sit-in, Ferit Şenyaşar said: “This sit-in and the mother’s struggle will create a butterfly effect and cause the AKP to lose a lot of votes in this election.” 
The second hearing of the trial in which 10 people, including journalist Zeynep Kuray face “defying the Law no. 2911 on Demonstrations and Assemblies” charge was held in the İstanbul. Trial adjourned until February. 

Turkey Today – 23.11.2022
President Erdoğan has said that Turkey will “root out all of terrorists together with our tanks, our soldiers.” 
The sixth hearing of the trial, which was opened 5 years after the former President of the Diyarbakır Bar Association Tahir Elçi was murdered in broad daylight, was held in Diyarbakır. Getting angry with the lawyers of Elçi and those monitoring the trial, the presiding judge said he concluded the hearing and left the courtroom. The court decided to wait for the Forensic Medicine Institute’s report and witnesses to be heard. Trial adjourned until July 2023. 
The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Turkish authorities to investigate airstrikes that killed ANHA reporter Essam Abdullah and other civilians in Northern Syria’s Derik. 
The Court of Cassation has overturned the prison sentences in the Büyükada case, where rights defenders were put on trial on “terror” charges over a 2017 human rights meeting on Büyükada, one of the Prince’s Islands in İstanbul.
The 10th hearing of the trial in which journalist Aziz Oruç faces terrorism-related charges and DFGD Co-President Dicle Müftüoğlu and 4 people face “aiding a terrorist organization” charges for saving Oruç was held in Ağrı. The court adjourned the trial until 18 January 2023 so that the case file can be completed.
The deforestation in Şırnak’s Cudi Mountain region continues. 

Turkey Today – 22.11.2022
Government-ally nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli has welcomed Erdoğan’s meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Bahçeli said Erdoğan should also organize a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and form a “common will against terrorist organizations.” 
Turkey continues artillery strikes on northern Syria. 
Eylem Kayaoğlu, the lawyer of Semra Güzel, who was arrested after her immunity was lifted, applied to the Constitutional Court, stating that Güzel was arrested while she was a parliamentarian before “sufficient suspicion of crime” was formed, was based on political motives. 
4 children aged 16-17, who were detained on charges of taking down the school flag in Viranşehir, said they were beaten at the gendarmerie station.
Repeating his statements regarding Turkey’s chemical weapons attacks, Turkey’s Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar said, “There are no in our inventory.”

Turkey Today – 21.11.2022
Ahlam Albashir, who allegedly carried out the Taksim explosion, said she was arrested by the YPG on the grounds that she was spying for the FSA. 
Air strikes carried out by Turkey on the area of Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria continue. 
Rockets were fired at Öncüpınar Border Post in Kilis. 8 security guards were injured. Three people were killed and six others were injured in a mortar attack targeting the Karkamış district of Antep.
Interpreting the Dedeoğulları massacre trial as “an invalid trial”, Lawyer Atilla Kart said: “The article regulating genocide and crimes against humanity was not implemented.”
Yesterday president Erdoğan met Egyp’s President Abdal Fattah el-Sisi for the first time after the 2013 coup in Egypt. He had refused to recognize the Sisi government for years. 

Turkey Weekly 14 – 20 November 2022

Turkey Today – 20.11.2022
Air strikes carried out by Turkey against Northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues. 
A hospital for Covid-19 patients in Kobane was destroyed during the attacks. 
ANHA reporter Isam Ebdullah was killed in Turkey’s airstrike. 
The Urfa Bar Association released a statement condemning the military offensive. 
The Initiative of Suruç Families came together in month 88 to commemorate the victims of the Suruç massacre. Police intervened and arrested 15 people. 
Two more people arrested in the case of Taksim bombing. 

Turkey Today – 19.11.2022
Yesterday Mehmet Altun who killed seven members of a Kurdish family last year in Konya has received aggravated life sentences for each killing. All other defendants have been acquitted. 
Mustafa Yaşar, former board member if Turkish Medical Association Diyarbakır branch was arrested on terror charges. 
A court has arrested 17 people suspected of being involved in the bomb attack on Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue, which killed six people.
The indefinite rotating hunger strike started on October 4 against violations of rights and severe isolation conditions in Konya Ereğli High Security Prison continues indefinite and non-rotating. Yılmaz Üstek, a heart and migraine patient who was transferred from Van High Security Prison to Ereğli a short time ago, summarized the rights violations they go through as “we were left to die”.
Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has welcomed the prohibition of alcohol sales at Qatar’s World Cup stadium sites. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 921 to ask those responsible for the death of Hayrettin Eren, who disappeared after being detained on 21 November 1980. 

Turkey Today – 18.11.2022
Adding a new one to his different statements about the Istanbul explosion, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu claimed that Ahlam Albashir came from Manbij.
“The message given by the global masters, most notably the US, is intended to prevent Türkiye, which is on the journey of full independence, and prevent its efforts to bring stability to regions around and to speak its words to the world,” Soylu remarked regarding the Taksim attack. 
While the houses of 5 Alevi citizens in Mersin were marked, the governor’s office claimed that the incident was caused by the hostility between the neighbors.
Prisoners in Ereğli Prison, where an indefinite and non-rotating hunger strike continues against the harsh isolation conditions, stated that even greeting each other is prohibited. 

Turkey Today – 17.11.2022
Ahlam Albashir, who was detained in connection with the explosion in Taksim, said in her statement that she came to Turkey from Idlib, not from Erfrin.
In the Dedeoğulları case where Mehmet Altun is on trial, the court board dismissed the lawyers from the hall upon the refusal of the judge.
3 prisoners in Ereğli Prison went on an indefinite and non-alternating hunger strike yesterday against the rights violations and isolation.
Expelled police officer E. O. who was part of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) investigation was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for “collecting personal data illegally.”
The 1st hearing of the trial in which Saturday Mother Hanife Yıldız faces “insulting a public official” charge and in which Minister Süleyman Soylu is listed as the “injured party” was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until January as Hanife Yıldız could not attend the hearing. 
The fourth hearing of the trial in which Jin News reporter Beritan Canözer faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in Diyarbakır. Canözer was sentenced to 1 year 10 months 15 days and to 1 year 3 months in prison.  

Turkey Today – 16.11.2022
MHP chair Bahçeli has once again called for the closure of HDP and said “We cannot stand to see terrorists. We cannot tolerate for a second that the HDP takes part in political life.”
President Erdoğan said that he respects Russia’s statement that Russian missiles had not hit Polish territory, adding that he believes Moscow had “nothing to do with it.”
President Erdoğan and U.S. President Joe Biden have discussed bilateral relations, including trade and security issues, on the sidelines of a G20 summit. 
The 33rd hearing of the trial in which 32 people, including since-shuttered Dicle News Agency’s reporter Engin Eren face “membership in a terrorist organization”, “defying the Law no. 2911” and “defying the Law no. 2565” charges was held in Batman. Trial adjourned until November. 
İYİ Party Deputy Yavuz Ağıralioğlu has said that they have some concerns about CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu’s possible presidential candidacy. 

Turkey Today – 15.11.2022
Minister of Justice Bekir Bozdag said that the number of those detained in connection with the bomb attack on Istiklal Street has risen to 50. 
Daily newspaper Yeni Akit has implied that CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was behind the attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue. 
A military operation was launched in Hakkari’s Yüksekova district. 
A new indictment has been prepared against former HDP MP Aysel Tuğluk, who was recently released due to dementia, on the charge of “being a member of a terrorist organisation” due to an alleged incident in 2014.
The fifth hearing of the trial in which the former HDP MP Çağlar Demirel faces Article 301 charge was held in Diyarbakır. Demirel was sentenced to five months in prison. 
The first hearing of the trial in which columnist and expelled sociologist Veli Saçılık faces “openly degrading the Turkish state” charge was held in Ankara. The court decided to issue a writ to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and the Ankara Provincial Security Directorate to inquire if any actions were taken against the banner. Trial adjourned until March. 
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns was in Ankara to speak with his Russian intelligence counterpart Sergei Naryshkin to convey a message on consequences of any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, a White House official said. 

Turkey Today – 14.11.2022
Kurdistan Workers Party released a statement denying any involvement in the deadly explosion at Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue on Sunday. 
Kurdish lawyer Jiyan Tosun accused of planting bomb in Taksim spends night at courthouse after harassment. Tosun is a member of the Human Rights Association and the daughter of Fehim Tosun, who disappeared after being detained in 1995.
Speaking to reporters on İstiklal Avenue, where the bombing took place, Interior Minister Soylu said the attack was planned in Kobani. He refuses to accept US condolences over the bombing: “We don’t accept the condolences of the US Embassy. We can’t be allies with those who send money from their senator’s offices.” 
Human Rights Association Co-Chair Eren Keskin said she received hundreds of threatening phone calls following the İstanbul bombing, questioning how so many people could find her number. “This is a deliberate state operation,” she said. 
Lawyer Zeynep Ceren Boztoprak said that her client, Tenzile Acar, from Bakırköy Women’s Prison who has tuberculosis, was not examined because she rejected the imposition of a handcuffed examination.

Journalist Habibe Eren held in Sincan Women’s Prison, stated that the sockets in the common area do not work and that the prison administration makes a special effort to individualize journalists.

Turkey Weekly 7 – 13 November 2022

Turkey Today – 13.11.2022
Media watchdog RTÜK has announced that a blanket broadcast ban has been imposed regarding the Taksim explosion. The İstanbul 10th Criminal Judgeship of Peace ordered the ban. Only the reporters of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, Anadolu Agency and İhlas News Agency are allowed into the İstiklal Ave.
President Erdoğan has said that “Russia is displaying resistance” against the West who “is attacking Russia seemingly endlessly.” Erdoğan also said that US President Biden is “hiding” the exiled Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen. 
Interior Minister Soylu has targeted the country’s LGBTI+ community once again, and said “Forgive me, men will marry men, women will marry women. What a shame.” He called the LGBTI+ community as “propaganda of a terrorist organization.” 
The Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family has reached day 614. The sit-in was launched on March 9, 2021 by Emine Şenyaşar, who lost her husband and two sons as a result of the attack carried out by AKP MP İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives in Urfa. 

Turkey Today – 12.11.2022
Stating that steps have been taken to lift the immunity of MPs who made statements about Turkey’s use of chemical weapons, Erdogan said: “The legal process has started regarding them. The legal process is currently ongoing. Of course, the judge will do what is necessary. We will not give up on this matter.”
The Turkish Armed Forces launched a large-scale military operation in Ağrı and Iğdır early in the morning. 
The condition of 25-year prisoner Mehmet Mutlu, who has schizophrenia and is being held in Patnos Type L Prison, is getting worse. His mother, Emiş Mutlu, who has not been able to see her son for 9 years, said: “I can not see my son for 9 years. It is not possible for him to live there, He should be released.”
In a midnight decree, President Erdoğan dismissed Fatih Şahin, deputy head of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), who were appointed just seven months ago. 
The Turkish Sports Federation for the Physically Disabled has launched an investigation into the Turkish National Amputee Football Team after visiting CHP Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş. 

Turkey Today – 11.11.2022

The 16 journalists imprisoned on June 16 were not able to see their visitors on visiting day this week because the names of their visitors were removed from the ‘list of visitors’. The reason put forward was that they are “objectionable.”
The final hearing of the case where the lawyers of the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), including President Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Barkın Timtik and Oya Asla, were tried, was held in Istanbul. Barkın Timtik and Selçuk Kozağaçlı were each sentenced to 12 years for “being a member in a terrorist organisation”. 
The 7th hearing of the trial in which İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu faces “insulting a public official” charge was held in İstanbul. The court adjourned the trial until December 14th so that the requests of lawyers for the judge to be recused can be referred to another court for evaluation.
President Erdoğan has found Russia’s decision to pull its forces back from the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson as “positive and important.”

Turkey Today – 10.11.2022
Selahattin Demirtaş has been charged with “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” and “insulting the Turkish nation and state” over a tweet in which he said that the use of chemical weapons is a crime. 
Lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their client. 
According to MA Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) held meetings with FSA in Antep and HTS in Atme. 
It was stated that HDP Agirî Provincial General Assembly of parliament member Mehmet Birdal, who started a death fast in Maku Prison in Iran, and truck drivers Faruk Cansever and Mahmut Kandemir were put in cells to prevent them from communicating with the outside.
The third hearing of the trial in which journalist Can Ataklı faces “publicly degrading a section of the public” was held in İstanbul. The hearing has been postponed to a later date as the lawyer of journalist Ataklı submitted an excuse to the court and did not attend the hearing.
The ninth hearing of the trial in which journalist Rüstem Batum faces “insulting the president” and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” charges was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Batum. Trial adjourned until February. 

Turkey Today – 09.11.2022
HDP Group Deputy Chairperson Meral Danış Beştaş and Saruhan Oluç asked the Minister of Defense Hulisi Akar to answer the question regarding the use of chemical weapons in Turkey’s attacks against HPG members, and was returned by the speaker’s office saying “issues that cannot be asked”. 

An electricity bill of 1,500 TL was sent by the administration to the 11-person ward in Marmara (Silivri) No. 2 Type L Closed Prison. As the prisoners failed to pay the bill, their electricity was cut off. 
Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson met President Erdoğan yesterday. Sweden will fully implement a trilateral memorandum signed in June with Türkiye and Finland, the PM said. 
The 6th hearing of the trial in which the former HDP MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder faces “degrading the Turkish Nation, the state of Turkish Republic” charge was held in Diyarbakır. Önderi was sentenced to 5 months in prison. 
Erdoğan’s ally MHP chair Devlet Bahçeli found the AKP’s visit to the HDP to discuss planned constitutional amendments as “right and natural”. 

Turkey Today – 08.11.2022
Alevi organisations, which gathered in front of the Parliament against the draft law on “Alevi Bektaşi Culture and Djemevi Presidency”, called out: “We demand equal citizenship, not a bag of laws.”
The third hearing of the trial in which since-shuttered Azadiya Welat’s reporter Velat Öztekin faces “insulting the president” charge was held in Diyarbakır. Reasoning that the elements of the offense Öztekin was charged with did not occur, the court ruled to acquit journalist Öztekin.
The 4th hearing of the trial in which journalists Hazal Ocak, Olcay Büyüktaş Akça, Ozan Alper Yurtoğlu and Serkan Ozan face “insult” charge upon complaint by Bilal Erdoğan was held in İstanbul. Reasoning that the journalists committed the offense they were charged with, the court imposed a judicial fine of 2180 Turkish Liras upon each journalist. 
The 19th hearing of the trial in which 23 defendants, including Etkin News Agency editor İsminaz Temel, former ETHA reporter Havva Cuştan and the lawyers of the Law Firm of the Oppressed face terrorism-related charges was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to remove the obligation to provide regular signatures imposed upon Özlem Gümüştaş and to continue other judicial control measures imposed upon defendants. Trial adjourned until March. 
The 1st hearing of the trial in which the managing editor of the Demokratik Modernite magazine Ramazan Yurttapan, the magazine’s editor Haydar Ergül and 3 authors face Article 301 charge was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to wait for the execution of arrest warrants issued against Nazan Üstündağ and Cihan Doğan. Trial adjourned until March. 

Turkey Today – 07.11.2022
Prosecutors have prepared a summary of proceedings against CHP deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu because of his statements about the allegations that Türkiye used chemical weapons during its military operations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
A video which is stated to have been taken in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Zap area has been released showing that the body of a soldier who lost his life in the attacks on the Zap area was burned by soldiers.
In yesterday’s drone attack carried out by Turkey in Qamishlo a SDF fighter lost his life, two were injured. 
AKP MP Mehmet Ali Cevheri made a statement after his party’s visit to the HDP earlier this week, saying that the HDP’s support was needed for the planned constitutional amendment to protect women’s right to wear a headscarf. 

Turkey Weekly 31 October – 6 November 2022

Turkey Today – 06.11.2022
Thousands of people gathered in Silopi for the “March for Humanity” against the use of chemical weapons. All the roads leading to the Habur Border Gate were closed by hundreds of soldiers and police. Soldiers attacked the crowd with water cannons and gas bombs. Plastic ballots fired by the police HDP Deputy Nuran Imir. 32 people were detained. 
The crowd, who came together for the “March for Humanity” against the use of chemical weapons in Istanbul, organized a march on the streets leading to Istiklal Street. The police, who attacked the people, detained 80 of them. 
The bar associations of 15 provinces in Turkey call the Kurdish question the most important problem in the country and stress that the problem prevents a democratisation process and cannot be solved through security measures.

Turkey Today – 05.11.2022
Rejecting the application for those who lost their lives during the curfew in Cizre, the Constitutional Court claimed that the right to life was not violated, the use of lethal force was necessary and it was impossible to identify the officers.
Announcing its interim decision in the Kobanê Case, the court decided to release Bircan Yorulmaz and Mesut Bağcık.
Lawyers’ Association for Freedom Istanbul Branch Co-Chair Gürkan Istekli said that an independent committee should carry out an investigation into the use of chemical weapons. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 919 to ask those responsible for the death of Abdulkerim Yurtseven, Mikdat Özeken and 13 years old Münür Sarıtaş who were arrested 27 years ago and were shot and burned. 
Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati has said that no citizen can claim that they are crushed under inflation during the AKP rule. 

Turkey Today – 04.11.2022
The 7th hearing of the trial in which the imprisoned former Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party Selahattin Demirtaş faces “insulting a public official” charge was held in İstanbul. The hearing is postponed to a later date as the judge is on leave. 
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which 6 people including 3 human rights activists who had attended the press statement in support of the Boğaziçi University, face several charges was held in İzmir. The court adjourned the trial until January so that all the statements can be taken and the footage submitted to the case file by defense lawyers be reviewed.
The 32nd hearing of the trial in which 32 people, including since-shuttered Dicle News Agency’s reporter Engin Eren face “membership in a terrorist organization”, “defying the Law no. 2911” and “defying the Law no. 2565” charges was held in Batman. Trial adjourned until November. 
The 18th hearing of the trial in which journalist Rüstem Batum faces “publicly denigrating the state’s military and law enforcement personnel” charge was held in İstanbul. The court decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Batum. Trial adjourned until January. 
Foreign Minister said that Sweden and Finland have not yet fulfilled all obligations under a deal clearing their bids to join NATO, and they must still take concrete steps. 

Turkey Today – 03.11.2022
Lawyer Aryen Turan was arrested in Turkey for shouting “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” at the İzmir Bar Association meeting and demanding the release of sick detainees.
Lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their client. 
MA reporter Ceylan Şahinli, who was arrested with 8 of her colleagues in Ankara, was not examined because she refused the imposition of handcuffs while the doctor examined her.
Yakup Brukanlı, one of the 40 detainees held in Konya Ereğli High Security Prison, set his body on fire against the heavy isolation.
President Erdoğan has said that he might negotiate with Twitter’s new boss Elon Musk to avoid paying the monthly $8 charge for the “verified” badge.

Turkey Today – 02.11.2022
During the budget negotiations, HDP MPs protested the Minister of Family and Social Services, Derya Yanık, with placards written “Jin, jiyan azadi” drawing attention to femicides.
The 3rd group took over the rotating hunger strike launched to protest Turkey’s use of chemical weapons in Diyarbakır High Security Prison No. 1.  
The General Directorate of Security (EGM) and Gendarmerie General Command have announced that they filed a criminal complaint against main opposition CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu over his remarks that there is a methamphetamine crisis in Turkey.
President Erdoğan once again targeted LGBTI+ groups, saying the constitutional amendment that AKP is preparing will protect families from “perverse trends.”
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ and AKP group deputy chair Mustafa Elitaş have visited opposition CHP, HDP and İYİ parties to discuss the new constitutional amendment that the ruling AKP is preparing on headscarf and family issues. 

Turkey Today – 01.11.2022
Drawing attention to the war that Turkey has been waging in the Federated Kurdistan Region for 7 months, retired pilot Bahadır Altan said, “NATO’s 2nd largest army could not get the desired result against a force that has no air defense force against it, and despite the support of the KDP.”
Osman Kavala on 5 years of detention: “I keep in mind that I am not the only one who is subjected to unlawfulness, discrimination and cruelty. Listening to the stories of those others in prison and seeing people over 80 in the corridors is a constant reminder of this fact.” 
AKP Group Deputy Chair Mahir Ünal has announced that he resigned from his position in the party after his controversial criticisms about the early Republican reforms. AKP MP Özlem Zengin was appointed as Ünal’s replacement. 
The SLAPP suit the Demirören Media Group brought against Medya Koridoru’s proprietor and editor-in-chief Canan Kaya whom MLSA represents in court, is adjourned until February.
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which journalist Evrim Kepenek faces “insult” charge upon complaint by Refik Y. who was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing his 6 years old child is being held in İstanbul. Journalist Kepenek’s lawyer requested additional time to submit to the case file news reports about the complainant which were published in other outlets. Trial adjourned until February. 
Compared to 10 years ago, the number of physicians looking for work abroad has increased 40-fold. 

Turkey Today – 31.10.2022
Imprisoned TTB President Şebnem Korur Fincancı sent a message from prison “The differences that are thought to be insurmountable are our wealth, the solidarity you showed when we were arrested is a mirror of this”.
Imprisoned former HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş has criticized some parts of the country’s opposition over their stance on the arrest of the head of the Turkish Medical Association. 
Ehettin Kaynar (73), who was sentenced to life imprisonment for taking part in the “Justice Commission”, was released from Karabük Prison on September 2. He had his sentence postponed for 6 months after he contracted cancer in prison. Kaynar died on Sunday night in Iğdır State Hospital. 
While the military operation, which started in 13 villages of Yüksekova, have continued for 6 days, it was reported that the soldiers warned the shepherds of 4 villages not to take the animals to the springs.

Turkey Weekly 24 – 30 October 2022

Turkey Today – 30.10.2022
During the press conference on the anniversary of the appointment of a trustee to the Cizre Municipality, a bullet was fired at HDP Şırnak MP Hasan Özgüneş.
Another anti-LGBTI+ rally and march was held in Ankara, targeting LGBTI+ groups and the Istanbul Convention which Turkey quitted in 2021. 
President said his ruling AKP would propose a constitutional amendment on the right to wear headscarf, but also protecting family values from the “threat of perverted currents’’ to the parliament next week. 
The Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family has reached day 601. The sit-in was launched in 2021 by Emine Şenyaşar, who lost her husband and two sons as a result of the attack carried out by AKP MP İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives in Urfa.

Turkey Today – 29.10.2022
Medical chambers affiliated with the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) have protested TTB chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı’s arrest over the alleged charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” in the capital Ankara. 
Ramazan Kaya, Tarık Çaytaş and Mehmet İzgiş should have been released from the Elazığ prison. The release was postponed for the second. 
President Erdoğan has declared “the Century of Turkey vision” one day before the 99th anniversary of Republic Day, signaling they will prepare a new constitution.
Turkish defence company Baykar’s CEO Haluk Bayraktar has said that they are planning to complete the construction of its manufacturing plant in Ukraine in two years. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 918 to ask those responsible for the death of who were tortured to deaths after being detained in Mardin’s Dargeçit district between 29 October and 8 November 1995. 

Turkey Today – 28.10.2022
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s office has demanded the dismissal of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) executives and the election of new board members.
After the ban on visits imposed on Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan on 13 April ended on 18 October, it was automatically extended for another six months.
It has been learned that the police filmed the journalists brought to the courthouse handcuffed behind the back and in a single file. The journalists whose statements were taken at the Ankara Courthouse were asked about their news stories, social media posts and travels.
Reporters and the relatives of the detained journalists have all been removed from the courthouse. The entrance to the courthouse has been closed off with barriers.
During police raids in Mersin, nine people were detained for “propaganda for a terrorist organisation”.
Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop claimed that some lawmakers use their parliamentary immunities in the protests and try to break preventive measures of the security forces. 

Turkey Today – 27.10.2022
The Ankara 3rd Criminal Judgeship of Peace arrested Şebnem Korur Fincancı for “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”
Journalist Zemo Ağgöz, who has a 45-day-old baby and was questioned by the police for more than 3 hours, was released on the condition of house arrest by the prosecutor’s office.
Lawyer Gülistan Ataş stated that a strip search was imposed on JINNEWS reporter Derya Ren, whom she visited in prison, and that she was beaten by 5 guards because she resisted the strip search.
Former HDP MP Aysel Tuğluk who suffers from dementia expected to be released after Forensic Medicine Institute report. The institute yesterday concluded that Tuğluk cannot stay in prison.
The third hearing of the trial in which journalist Sibel Hürtaş faces “prevention of public duty” charge was held in Ankara. The court decided to subpoena one of the complainant police officers who once again failed to attend a hearing. Trial adjourned until March. 
The 1st hearing of the trial in which journalists Canan Coşkun and Barış Pehlivan face “identifying public officials on antiterrorism duty as targets” charge upon complaint by Judge Akın Gürlek was held in İstanbul. The court decided to wait for the evaluation of the İstanbul 35th High Criminal Court. Trial adjourned until January. 

Turkey Today – 26.10.2022
Journalist Berivan Altan, who met with her lawyers, said that police vests was brought to the police to take pictures before they brought her out of the building and they had to wait for it and the police told her, “We will force your head down, don’t make it diffucult”.

Journalist Diren Yurtsever told her lawyers about the impositions she was subjected to by the Turkish police since the moment she was arrested, including ‘posing with a Turkish flag’. 
Women in Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison went on a 3-day hunger strike to protest Turkey’s use of chemical weapons.
Yesterday, at least 13 people have been detained in raids in Mersin on charges of “propaganda for a terrorist organisation”.
The 10th hearing of the trial in which the proprietor of the since-shuttered Azadiya Welat newspaper Ramazan Ölçen faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in Diyarbakır. The court decided to wait for the response to the writ issued to the Ministry of Justice so that Ölçen’s statement can be taken via rogatory letters. The court also decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against Ölçen. Trial adjourned until February. 
Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati has deemed Turkey’s economic relations with Russia “legal,” amid the concerns among Turkish businesses over a U.S. Treasury warning that they risked being penalised if they maintained commercial ties with Russians under sanctions.
A Turkish court has lifted the international travel ban imposed on singer Gülşen.

Turkey Today – 25.10.2022
11 Kurdish journalists workingfor JINNEWS and Mezopotamya Agency were detained with house raids in Ankara and 6 provinces. A 24-hour lawyer restriction was imposed on the journalists. 
MA reporter Zemo Ağgöz, who has a 45-day-old baby, was also detained during the raids. 
Erdoğan said about Şebnem Korur-Fincancı head of the Turkish Medical Association after her comments regarding chemical weapons, “The necessary steps will be taken concerning both this person and the institutions according to the results of the investigation the chief prosecutor of Ankara is carrying out and the judgements of the courts.”
The hearing of the trial in which Gülsüm and Sami Elvan, the parents of Berkin Elvan who was killed by the police during Gezi Park protests, face “insulting the president” charge is being held in the İstanbul. The court’s decided to send the case file to the prosecutor so that he can prepare his final opinion. Trial adjourned until March. 
The 5th hearing of “the Vase Trial” in which 7 women and LGBTİ+, including journalist Şeriban Alkiş face multiple charges is being held in the İstanbul. Having submitted their excuses to the court, the defendants and their lawyers did not attend today’s hearing. 

Turkey Today – 24.10.2022
The mother, who said “Long live my son” in Kurdish to her son in Kırıklar Prison, was banned from speaking for 3 months. The prisoners in Kırıklar No. 1 Type F Closed Prison spoke about their rights violations in a letter they sent to HDP Group Deputy Chairperson Meral Danış Beştaş. 
HDP Ağrı Deputy Dirayet Dilan Taşdemir drew attention to the fact that violations, usurpation of rights and torture of prisoners became systematic. 

Some of the trees that continue to be cut in the rural areas of Şırnak are transported to military bases and bases to be burned.

Erdoğan’s “at least three children” request is now a condition for housing support for women who lost their husbands. Only women with three children younger than 18 and who have already been receiving welfare benefits will be eligible for the support. 
An armed drone of the Turkish army has targeted an area close to a cemetery in Qamishlo in Northern Syria. 

Turkey Weekly 17 – 23 October 2022

Turkey Today – 23.10.2022
The Iraqi parliament will establish a specific commission to identify the types of chemical weapons used by Turkey in operations against Kurdish fighters in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 
It was learned that while the trees were cut down in 31 areas of the Besta region in Şırnak, the construction of new roads to expand the existing one, started. 
President Erdoğan has called for referendum to be held on the right to wear headscarf, after the main opposition CHP submitted a draft law on the issue.
Council of State has ruled for the reinstatement of 178 judges and prosecutors who were dismissed by government decrees (KHK). 
Sweden has detailed concrete actions it will take to address Turkey’s demands for the Scandinavian country’s NATO bid, including stepping up efforts against Kurds which Ankara claims to be linked to terror groups. 

Turkey Today – 22.10.2022
Examining the images of HPG members exposed to chemical weapons, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Board member and Forensic Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Ümit Biçer said:”Investigation should be started. The footage is an important resource for making and initiating an evaluation.”

President Erdoğan has dismissed the “chemical attack” accusatios and threatened legal action against who bring up the claims. 
Finnish officials are set to arrive in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss their country’s bid to join the NATO. The talk will focus on the extradition of individuals Turkey designates as terrorists. 
After ten years in prison, Jiyan Ateş should have been released from the Sincan women’s prison near Ankara. The release was postponed for six months because she sang and danced to Kurdish songs.

Saturday Mothers came together in week 917 to ask those responsible for the death of Hüseyin Toraman who disappeared after being detained by the police on 27 October 1991. 

Turkey Today – 21.10.2022
Police detained several HDP members, including its Istanbul co-chair Ferhat Encü, who wanted to hold a press conference against the allegations that the Turkish Armed Forces had used chemical weapons in their operations.
Turkish officials have denied allegations that the Turkish Armed Forces had used chemical weapons in their operations against the PKK. 
Assassinated Kurdish journalist Musa Anter’s family applies to the Constitutional Court following dismissal of case. The case concerning the 1992 assassination was dropped due to the statute of limitations last month. 
Mehmet Emin Kurnaz, the politics editor of the daily BirGün, has been given a deferred prison sentence for “insulting the president” and “insulting a public official” because of an issue of the newspaper’s weekend supplement entitled “Rule of the Gangs”. 
The 2nd hearing of the Tent Trial in which 45 students of Boğaziçi University face “defying the Law no. 2911 on Demonstrations and Assemblies” charge was held in İstanbul. The court rejected the requests of lawyers for immediate acquittal. Trial adjourned until March. 
An Istanbul court has rejected the acquittal plea of singer Gülşen who is on trial for a joke about Islamic Imam Hatip schools. The court ruled to continue the international travel ban of the pop star.

Turkey Today – 20.10.2022
An investigation was launched against Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı, who was targeted by the MHP due to the statements she made about Turkey’s chemical weapons attacks.
CHP Istanbul MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu made a statement on his Twitter account regarding the chemical weapons used against HPG guerrillas and stated that he will bring the issue to the Parliamentary agenda.
HDP Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar applied to the Ministry of Justice with a request to meet with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has demanded the release of jailed former HDP deputy co-chair Aysel Tuğluk, who suffers from dementia, because she cannot be treated under prison conditions and cannot continue her life alone. 
President Erdoğan has said that he agreed with his Russian counterpart Putin on Turkey becoming a natural gas hub during their last meeting. 
The 5th hearing of the trial in which BirGün daily’s Politics Editor Mehmet Emin Kurnaz faces “insulting the president” and “insulting a public official” charges was held in İstanbul. The journalist has been sentenced to 11 months 20 days in prison for “insulting the president” and to 11 months 20 days in prison for “insulting a public official.” 
The second hearing of the trial in which journalist Can Ataklı faces “openly degrading a section of the public” was held in İstanbul. The court decided to send the case file to the prosecution so that the final opinion as to the accusations be prepared. Trial adjourned until November. 

Turkey Today – 19.10.2022
The HDP has called on international institutions and the Kurdistan Regional Government to investigate allegations concerning Turkey’s use of chemical weapons in Kurdistan. 
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which the Co-Chair of the Ankara Branch of the Human Rights Association Fatin Kanat faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in Ankara. In his final opinion, the prosecutor requested that Kanat be sentenced for the offense he’s been charged with. Giving additional time for the lawyers to prepare their arguments against the final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until December. 
Turkey’s media watchdog RTÜK has imposed a 3-day blackout on TELE 1. The reason for the Council’s blackout decision was the statement of MP Sera Kadıgil who said, “The Directorate of Religious Affairs is a tool for political Islam.” 
The fifth hearing of the TÜGVA Papers Trial in which journalist Metin Cihan and his alleged source face “illegally obtaining or giving personal data” charge was held in İstanbul. The court ruled to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against journalist Cihan and adjourned the trial until December. 

Turkey Today – 18.10.2022
The censorship law was published in the Official Gazette after the approval of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Former HDP MP Gülser Yıldırım has been released from prison, but with four months of delay. 
Political Prisoner Sariye Taşkesen said that she was battered in Diyarbakır Women’s Prison, where she was brought for trial, that her clothes were taken off and she was harassed. 
The 2nd hearing of the trial in which human rights defenders Dr. Hüseyin Yaviç and Sevim Çiçek face “defying the Law no. 2911” charge was held in Van. The judge decided to wait for the case file to be completed and adjourned the trial until January. 
The first hearing of the trial in which journalist and author Ender Imrek faces “insulting the president” charge was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to accept the intervention request of President Erdoğan’s lawyer. Trial adjourned until January. 
HDP Silvan Municipal Council member Pınar Memiş was made a member of AKP without her knowledge.

Turkey Today – 17.10.2022
In the case where former HDP MP Leyla Güven is on trial for “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”, Güven was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months in prison. 

Diyarbakir Police prevented the only Kurdish-language newspaper Xwebûn Newspaper from being sent to Istanbul and threatened the bus company.
The 1st hearing of the trial in which the former Chair of the Diyarbakır Bar Association Cihan Aydın and 10 board members of the association face “degrading the Turkish Nation” charge was held in Diyarbakır. Reasoning that the elements of the offense the lawyers were charged with did not occur, the court ruled to acquit all the lawyers. 
After President Erdoğan said the Bartın mine blast was “destiny,” a 2019 state audit report warning of deficiencies in safety measures in the mine has resurfaced. 
The first hearing of the retrial in which journalist Ayşegül Doğan faces “membership in an armed terrorist organization” charge was held in Diyarbakır. Rejecting the requests of Doğan’s lawyers for immediate acquittal and for the international travel ban to be removed, the court’s adjourned the trial until January. 

Turkey Weekly 10 – 16 October 2022

Turkey Today – 16.10.2022
During airstrikes of Turkish Armed Forces on the Kurdistan region of Iraq Şermin Esad, a civilian was injured. 
The number of detentions in Amed has risen to eight, with a total of 30 people wanted. The background is a wave of purges within Kurdish civil society in the run-up to a visit by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the city.
A US State Department spokesperson has rejected the claims of AKP MP Ahmet Özdemir from Turkey’s ruling party who stated that a new Turkish disinformation law adopted this week is similar to regulations in the US. 
President Erdoğan has said that “We believe in destiny. These (kinds of accidents) will always happen” following the mine explosion that killed 41 workers in the northern province of Bartın. 
Greek authorities on Saturday accused Turkey of sending 92 illegal migrants into Greece after stripping them naked. The migrants, all men, were discovered close to the Evros river on the border between Greece and Turkey.

Turkey Today – 15.10.2022
The US President Joe Biden’s decision to extend the national emergency over the situation in and in relation to Syria contains baseless allegations and accusations against Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. 
Mezopotamya news agency was blocked over news coverage of sexual abuse by a Turkish army commander of 15 young soldiers under his command. 
Soldiers raiding the villages of Şîvelan and Xana Musa in Hakkari every day are imposing spies and guards on the villagers. The threatened villagers said they would continue to defend their rights.
HDP Youth Council Member Vedat Özer, who was detained 16 times in two years and 12 lawsuits were filed against him, was threatened to leave the city (Batman) with his mother during his house raid. Özer filed a criminal complaint against the police officers on duty.
MP Cemal Enginyurt has said that he bought a ticket to the United Arab Emirates to meet with mafia boss Sedat Peker, but this was not allowed for security reasons. 

Turkey Today – 14.10.2022
In the re-opened trial for “revealing the identity of persons involved in counter-terrorism”, Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş has again been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
Certified attorneys and members of the press, who come to Şakran Prison Campus for the hearing of the Deniz Poyraz murder case were not allowed into the courtroom with the decision of the court committee. The gendarmerie attacked the lawyers who protested against the decision. 
A military operation was launched in Kulp district. It was stated that low flights were made with drones and helicopters over the villages and a GBT checkpoint was established at the entrances.

Batter marks and bruises were seen on Süphan Çabuk’s body, who died in Rize Kalkandere Type L Prison. According to the reports of human rights organizations he was denied his right to treatment. 
In their fourth meeting in Astana Erdoğan and Putin agreed to build a “natural gas hub” for Europe in Turkey and expand the Ukraine grain deal to include exports from Russia. 
During house raids carried out by the Turkish police in Amed 4 people, including artist Sarya Ertaş, were taken into custody.
A witness in a case where dismissed police officers face “fabrication of evidence” charges said the officers had threatened him with her sister when he was in custody. 

Turkey Today – 13.10.2022
Following the funeral ceremony of journalists and academic Nagihan Akarsel, who was murdered by Turkish Intelligence Agency in Silemani, journalists Dilan Babat and Fırat Can Arslan were detained.
CHP MP Mathmut Tanal has submitted a draft bill proposing that foreigners who have recently acquired Turkish citizenship should not vote in the upcoming elections.
A court has postponed the enforcement of teacher Sibel Balaç’s prison sentence after 298 days of death fast demanding a fair trial.
The 13th hearing of the trial in which 20 people, including journalist Adil Demirci face “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in İstanbul. Citing the current state of the case file, the court’s decided to separate the files of all the defendants except for the journalist. Demirci’s trial will be resumed in this case file. Trial adjourned until March.
The third hearing of the trial in which Jin News reporter Beritan Canözer faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in Diyarbakır. The hearing, which Canözer did not attend, started earlier than scheduled. Giving additional time for Canözer and her lawyer to prepare their arguments against the final opinion, the court’s adjourned the trial until November.
The fourth hearing of the retrial in which journalist Barış Barıştıran faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in the Diyarbakır. Reasoning that it has not been established that Barıştıran committed the offense he was charged with, the court’s acquitted Barıştıran of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”

Turkey Today – 12.10.2022
Lawyer of imprisoned HDP MP stated that the prison administration did not respond to her client’s petitions and that she is not involved in joint activities. 
The 5th hearing of the trial in the Deniz Poyraz murder case was held in İzmir. A gendarmerie officer has slapped her brother Kamuran Poyraz. The police then used pepper gas, with the court board adjourning the hearing. 
While OSZE urged Turkey to review ‘disinformation bill’, another article of the censorship was adopted in the parliament. 
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which 15 people who were taken into police custody during the 2018 October 10th Massacre Commemoration in Van face “prevention of public duty” charge was held in Van. Having submitted their excuses to the court before the hearing, the defendants and their lawyers did not attend today’s hearing. Trial adjourned until January.

The 2nd hearing of the trial in which journalists Görkem Kınacı, Uğur Şahin and Uğur Koç face “libel” and “insulting a public official” charges upon complaint by Constitutional Court Judge İrfan Fidan was held in İstanbul. Giving additional time for the complainant’s lawyer to prepare his arguments against the final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until October.
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said that the opposition in Syria and the Assad regime need to come to an agreement for “a lasting stability” in the country.

Turkey Today – 11.10.2022
HDP Group Deputy Chairperson Meral Danış Beştaş and Saruhan Oluç, HDP Women’s Council Spokesperson Ayşe Acar Başaran and many MPs marched in front of the Parliament’s speaker’s office demanding a stance against the attacks on HDP officials. 
Political prisoners in Kilis Type L Closed Prison started an indefinite non-rotating hunger strike after the violations they were subjected to did not end.
Presidents Erdoğan and Putin will meet in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana this week, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced. 
The 15th hearing of the trial in which nine people, including Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Ali Sönmez Kayar face “membership in an armed terrorist organization” charge was held in İstanbul. Before today’s hearing, the Court separated the case files of 6 people and decided that their case files be merged with the file of an ongoing case heard by another Court.
The 1st hearing of the trial in which the Demokratik Modernite Magazine’s managing editor Ramazan Yurttapan and editor Haydar Ergül faces “insulting the president” charge was held in İstanbul. Accepting the intervention request of President Erdoğan’s lawyer, the court adjourned the trial until February.
The 3rd hearing of the trial in which journalist İsmail Arı faces “illegally obtaining or giving data” upon complaint by Kerem Kınık, the President of Turkish Red Crescent, charge was held in İstanbul. Giving additional time for Arı and his lawyer to prepare their arguments against the prosecutor’s final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until October.
A court has handed down a jail term for a former Pegasus employee after he shared a social media photo showing him and colleagues drinking rakı on the Islamic holy night of “Kadir Gecesi” earlier this year. 

Turkey Today – 10.10.2022
The Hakkari Governor’s Office has defended the police violence against HDP MP Habip Eksik. The office argued that it was “proportional force”. 
HDP Deputy Habip Eksik, who suffered from fractures in his leg due to the police attack in Yüksekova, underwent surgery in Ankara this morning. 
The court was informed that although the perpetrator of both the Suruç Massacre and the October 10 Train Station Massacre, İlhami Bali was treated at Cihanbeyli State Hospital, it was reflected in the National Health System records that no hospital records could be found. 
It has been stated that Müslüm Yıldız and İbrahim Halil Şimşek, who were arrested for “blackening the evidence” in the massacre file against Şenyaşar family at the hospital, were released.

Turkey Weekly 3 – 9 October 2022

Turkey Today – 09.10.2022
138 people were arrested during nationwide protests marking the beginning of the international plot against PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan 24 years ago. On 9 October 1998 Mr Öcalan was forced to leave Syria after Turkey threatened war against the country.
4 journalists who have been following the protests have been arrested. 
According to Rudaw Ali Riza Güney, Turkish ambassador to Iraq said regarding the murder of journalists and academic Nagihan Akarsel in Silemani that everything related to the PKK was their target. 
The İstanbul Governor’s Office refused to grant permission for a criminal investigation to be launched against police chief Hanifi Zengin who threatened Artı TV cameraman Bilal Meyveci and prevented him from covering a protest. 
General Directorate of Security (EGM), under the Interior Ministry, has argued that there is a decrease in the suicide rate among police officers, deeming moves to investigate the issue “disinformation attempts.” 
On the 7th anniversary of the terror attack on a peace rally in Ankara with a death toll of 109 people hundreds of people gathered at Karşıyaka Cemetery to commemorate the victims. 

Turkey Today – 08.10.2022
İmralı Disciplinary Board gave the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan the 12th three-month disciplinary penalty since 2018 during the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture’s visit.
HDP Van MP Muazzez Orhan brought the heavy isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan to the Parliament and asked the reason for the rejection of the meeting applications.
13 Kurdish students have been arrested on terrorism charges during police raids in İzmir and Manisa. 
Saturday Mothers came together in week 915 to ask those responsible for the death of Cemil Kırbayır who disappeared after being detained in Ardahan on 13 September 1980. 
Erdoğan has said a state body will be founded under the Culture Ministry to address the concerns of Alevis. However, he refrained from making any comments with regards to Alevis’ demand that the gov’t recognize cemevis as official places of worship. 
AKP prepares bill to cancel Covid-19 fines. A total of 2.7 billion lira of fines had been issued to citizens for not complying with the mask mandates and curfews. 

Turkey Today – 07.10.2022
The parliament passed 12 more articles of the “disinformation bill,” which has raised concerns about further restrictions on news portals and social media platforms.
Media watchdog RTÜK has fined opposition channels for airing a discussion on mafia boss Sedat Peker’s allegations about senior figures within the ruling AKP.
The 5th hearing of the trial in which 3 human rights defenders who were taken into police custody during a press statement in support of the Boğaziçi University, face “insulting the president” charge was held in İzmir. The court’s decided to review the footage submitted to the case file. Trial adjourned until December. 
Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework demands an explanation after the head of the National Intelligence Agency Hakan Fidan visited the Turkmen leaders in the Kurdistan Region. 
President Erdoğan met Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It was the first meeting of the government leaders of the two countries in 13 years. Erdoğan said he may mert Assad as well. 

Turkey Today – 06.10.2022
Former Deputy Interior Minister Muhterem İnce has been elected as a Turkish Constitutional Court member. İnce was appointed as a member of the Court of Accounts three months ago.
“Witness statements are created with ready-made templates,” politician Mesut Bağcık said yesterday during the 17th hearing of the Kobani trial in Ankara.
On day 577 of the Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family police wanted to remove Şenyaşar from the courthouse saying “This is not your home.”
Turkish drones bombed the Beyane village of Pêncwên in Slemani. Aircraft activity in the region continues. 
Turkish warplanes shelled the Zirgan district and its villages in the Hesekê Canton.

The third hearing of the trial in which journalist Baransel Ağca faces “insulting the president” charge was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued against journalist Ağca and issue a writ so that the statement of Ağca can be taken via rogatory letters. Trial adjourned until February. 

The first hearing of the trial in which journalist Hayri Tunç faces “openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility” charge was held in the İstanbul. The court’s decided to give additional time for her to present to the court more detailed arguments against the accusation. The trial is adjourned until December 6th. 

Turkey Today – 05.10.2022
An armed attack was carried out on the HDP Karlıova (Bingöl) District Organization building. Tanju Bingöl, who organized the attack, was taken into custody. 
Turkmen Headquarters Head Hasan Turan said in a statement on his official Facebook account that they hosted MIT Undersecretary Hakan Fidan together with the senior officials of the headquarters. The statement did not provide information on the content of the meeting. On the same day Nagihan Akarsel, journalist and member of the Jineoloji Academy, was murdered in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 
Two journalists were sentenced to 6 years in prison for “being a member of a illegal organization.” In the justified ruling, the court said no criminal act of the suspects had been identified but they were member of a group that is “dangerous to society”
The first hearing of the trial in which the Alevi Federation Germany’s Honorary President Turgut Öker face “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in the İstanbul. The court acquitted Öker.
A court has ordered CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu to pay 50,000 liras in compensation to President Erdoğan over his January-dated comments accusing the government of corruption. 

Turkey Today – 04.10.2022
Summaries of proceedings regarding the legislative immunities of 34 MPs, including CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu and DBP chair Saliha Aydeniz have been submitted to the Speaker’s Office of the parliament after the opening of the legislative session on October 1. 
Women in several provinces of Turkey have protested the murder of Mahsa Jîna Amini by Iran’s morality police. During the protest in Ankara, several women were injured and detained by the police.
It was learned that at least 3 police officers were injured in the explosion that took place in Yüksekova yesterday evening.
HDP MPs have marched from the Parliament to the Justice Ministry, calling for the release of sick prisoners and demanding the termination of isolation imposed on prisoners in İmralı.
The 2nd hearing of the trial in which the grant holder and the chief editor of Demokrat Haber Mehmet Göcekli faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charge was held in İstanbul. The court’s decided to get journalist Göcekli’s statement via rogatory letters if his address abroad is given to the court before the next hearing. Trial adjourned until February. 
The 14th hearing of the trial in which journalist Hayri Demir faces “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in Ankara. In his final opinion, the prosecutor requested that the journalist be sentenced for both of the offenses he’s been charged with. Trial adjourned until December. 

Turkey Today – 03.10.2022
President Erdoğan’s chief adviser İbrahim Kalın and U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan have discussed “progress on NATO accession for Finland and Sweden,” in an unannounced meeting in Istanbul.

The Council of State has rejected MLSA’s lawsuit against the Presidential circular also known as the ‘censorship circular.’ The judges reasoned that the circular was intended to ‘remind the relevant institutions of the general legislation.’
The 9th hearing of the trial in which journalist Engin Korkmaz faces “insulting the president” charge was held in Antalya. Giving additional time for President Erdoğan’s lawyers who did not attend the hearing, to provide their arguments against the final opinion, the court adjourned the trial until February. 
The first hearing of the retrial in which journalist Ferhat Parlak faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charge was held in the Diyarbakır. The court’s decided to wait for the testimony of the anonymous witness called “Takvim” to be taken and to ask the Diyarbakır Provincial Security Directorate about the incidents mentioned by Takvim in his previous testimony. Trial adjourned until January. 
The pro-government company Cengiz Holding has filed an application to obtain a new Environmental Impact Assessment report to operate a copper mine in the Kaz Mountains. Last year, an expert report had ruled against the environmental clearance given to the project.