Turkey Weekly 27 – 30 December
Turkey Today – 30.12.2021
HDP Co-Chair Buldan investigated for calling assailant who killed a party worker a “murderer” at the hearing of the case.
Deniz Tepeli who witnessed the murder of Garibe Gezer in prison went on an indefinite hunger strike to be able to taken seriously and be heard as a witness.
28 women held in Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison said that the life and health of the prisoners are in danger and announced that they have been on a three-day hunger strike.
Political prisoner Davut Başkan who was exiled to another prison after conveying the violations of rights to HDP MP Gergerlioğlu in a letter, told that he was being threatened with death.
Asrın Law Office filed a complaint with the Council of Judges and Prosecutors about prosecutors and judges for ‘abuse of office’.
In the last meeting of the year, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued monetary penalties on Halk TV, FOX TV and TELE 1 over comments and reports critical of government.
Covid-19: Health Ministry 39,681 new infections and 139 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 29.12.2021
The first hearing of the case concerning the armed assault on the HDP İzmir office, which killed party worker Deniz Poyraz, was held today. The defendant swearing at the Poyraz family led to a brawl in the courtroom.
Asrın Law Office applied to the Constitutional Court for an injunction for their clients Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş, who have been held in İmralı Prison and have not been heard from for 9 months.
The 2nd hearing of the trial where 35 people including journalist Buse Soğütlü face multiple charges for attending “the 2020 Feminist Night March” was held in İstanbul. The court’s adjourned the trial until April 2022, so that witnesses can be heard, and the case file can be completed.
The 3rd hearing of the trial where journalist Can Dündar faces multiple charges including “espionage” charges was held in İstanbul. Dündar’s lawyers who submitted excuses to the court did not attend the hearing. The hearing’s been adjourned to a later date.
Turkish Medical Association: Lack of scientific publications raises questions over domestic Covid vaccine.
Covid-19: 36,684 new infections and 142 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 28.12.2021
An armed attack was carried out against HDP Bahçelievler District Organization building in Istanbul. The attackers, who were stated to be two people, injured a party member with a knife in the district building they entered after the armed attack.
Lawyers of Garibe Gezer who lost her life in Kandıra Prison, filed a criminal complaint against the prison administration.
Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu has dismissed criticism over a new investigation into the opposition-led İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, saying that the investigation is not politically motivated.
The 6th hearing of the trial where PEN Germany’s President and Die Welt correspondent Deniz Yücel faces “insulting a public official” charges was held in İstanbul. Giving additional time to the defense to prepare their statements against the prosecutor’s opinion, the court’s adjourned the trial until February 2022.
Facebook took down Mesopotamia Agency Turkish’s verified page, which had 100k subscribers. The agency reported that Facebook ignored their appeals and that the news reports they had shared on the page had suffered sustained censorship by Facebook.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 32,176 new infections and 184 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 27.12.2021
The Interior Ministry has announced that an investigation was launched into claims that dozens of Istanbul Municipality’s personnel are linked to “terrorist organizations.” Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu called on Interior Minister to resign.
Yesterday the HDP Youth Council held its third congress in Diyarbakır. Thousands of people attended the congress. Afterwards 11 people were arrested.
According to Health Ministry Omicron variant makes up over 10 percent of new cases in Turkey.
Covid-19: 26,099 new infections and 157 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Weekly 20 – 26 December 2021
Turkey Today – 26.12.2021
Military operation in Mardin’s Nusaybin district continues on day four.
During the pandemic Turkish authorities implemented various restrictions in prisons as limiting use of communal spaces and visits. Despite the rest of the country returning to normal for the most part, restrictions have remained in place for prisoners.
President Erdoğan has warned AKP members to make necessary preparations before submitting bills to parliament. AKP members have been submitting omnibus bills to avoid opposition objections, but the bills draw criticism for including faulty or unrelated articles.
Diyanet head Ali Erbaş has made yet another controversial statement, saying that his car is 11 years old and that he can’t change it due to the fear of criticism. Diyanet’s massive budget amid mass poverty is often slammed by the opposition.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 20,138 new infections and 173 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 26.12.2021
Family of Garibe Gezer who lost her life in Kandıra Prison under suspicious circumstances and the family lawyer filed a criminal complaint against the prosecutor who brought a confidentiality order on the file to the Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK).
PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s family applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for a meeting.
The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Ankara wants to start proceedings against members of the HDP Central Council for using the term Armenian Genocide in a statement on 24 April.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 874 to ask those responsible for the death of Umut Bahçeci who disappeared after detention on December 24, 1994 in İstanbul.
CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu once again signaled candidacy for Presidency.
Despite a ban imposed by Maraş Governor’s Office, on 43 anniversary of the Maraş massacre hundreds of people commemorated the victims and demanded justice.
Covid-19: 20,470 new infections and 145 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 24.12.2021
Many houses were simultaneously raided early in the morning in the Özalp district of Van and the central districts. Many people, including HDP executives, were detained.
A protest against the inhumane conditions in Turkish prisons has taken place in Istanbul. The demonstration was attacked by the police, eleven people were detained.
The Court of Cassation, one of the judicial organs of the AKP government, has upheld the 8 years and 3 months prison sentence given to former Van co-mayor Bekir Kaya who was jailed after deposal following a governmental decree.
The 16th hearing of the trial where 27 defendants including journalist Mesale Tolu face “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges is being held at Istanbul 29th High Criminal Court. Tolu’s lawyer Keleş Öztürk, stated that they agree with the opinion of the prosecutor regarding the acquittal and that they will make a detailed defense at the next hearing.We are monitoring the hearing. Trial adjourned until January 2022.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 18,910 new infections and 133 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 23.12.2021
Carrying out its monthly examination of arrest, the İstanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court ruled that businessperson and rights defender Osman Kavala’S arrest should continue.
Ali Aslan, an ill prisoner from Diyarbakır No 4 Type T Closed Prison said 4 people are given food that could only feed a child and they are under constant pressure and prevented from exercising their rights.
The 15th hearing of the trial where journalist Can Dündar faces “publishing or distributing the publications of terrorist organizations” charges was held in İstanbul. The hearing’s been postponed as Dündar’s lawyers who submitted excuses did not attend the hearing.
The third hearing of the retrial where since-shuttered Özgür Gündem’s Editor-in-Chief Eren Keskin and Managing Editor Reyhan Çapan faces “defying the Press Law no. 5187” charges was held in İstanbul. The hearing’s been postponed to a later date as the judge is on leave.
The hearings of three separate trials where journalist and former President Abdullah Gül’s press advisor Ahmet Sever faces various charges for his book “İçimde Kalmasın/Tanıklığımdır” is being held in İstanbul. The hearing’s been postponed as the judge is on leave.
Turkey’s domestic Covid vaccine has been granted emergency approval. The common use of the Turkovac vaccines is expected to begin before the end of the year.
Covid-19: 18,771 new infections and 168 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 22.12.2021
Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair Eren Keskin has shared the letter sent by prisoner Deniz Tepeli to lawyer Jiyan Tosun about the suspicious death of Garibe Gezer in Kandıra Prison. In her letter, Tepeli recounts that she witnessed the killing of Garibe Gezer and says that there are attempts to cover up the incident.
The Court of Cassation has terminated the political party membership of Labor Party Vice Chair Umut Yeğin for “insulting” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The top court based its decision on the 1926 Turkish Penal Code, which is not currently in force.
In Izmir, several houses were raided by the police earlier this morning. 7 people, including HDP Executive Board member Emin Orhan and ETHA reporter Ertürk Yılmaz, were detained.
After the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced that three young Syrian workers were burned to death at a factory in the Aegean province of İzmir, the family of one of the killed Syrians confirmed the racist attack. Activists have pointed out that another calamity is that the incident came out to light 35 days after it occurred and there is a total media blackout.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 19,095 new infections and 179 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 21.12.2021
Mehmet Emin Özkan, an 83-year-old seriously ill prisoner held in Diyarbakır Type D Prison, tested positive for coronavirus again.
Vedat Erkmen who died in prison under suspicious circumstances was lead to rest under police blockade. Only the family members were allowed to attend the funeral ceremony.
Journalist İbrahim Karakaş stated that the violations of rights increased in Adana Prison, stating that 400 people used the same electric shaver.
The case filed after a police raid on the office of Özgür Gündem newspaper in 2016 has been completed after five years. The İstanbul 5th Penal Court of First Instance has acquitted 18 journalists of “insulting a public official” and “preventing a public official from performing their duty.”
The 1st Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, Turkey’s highest appeals court, has upheld the acquittals of eight defendants in the Cizre JİTEM case. The case concerned the killing of 21 people in Cizre between 1993 and 1995. The case was opened in 2009.
Emine Şenyaşar has been summoned to depose for the 11th time since she began keeping a justice watch.
Covid-19: 19,859 new infections and 187 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 20.12.2021
Vedat Erkmen, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment and 374 more years in Tekirdağ Type F Prison, died suspiciously in his cell. Called by the prison administration at around 9:00 p.m., his family was informed that he committed suicide in the cell where Erkmen was held. His body was abducted by the police.
The Forensic Medicine Institute has concluded that Yusuf Özmen, a patient with cancer, can stay in prison despite reports by five different hospitals stating otherwise.
While TÜSİAD business group called on the government “return to the rules of the science of economy”, Erdoğan said the lower interest rate policy will continue, citing the Quran.
In the Metin Lokumcu case, the court has accepted the requests for hearing the defendants in the courtroom.
The Governor’s Office rejected the request of Şenyaşar Family who wanted to set up a tent in front of the Urfa Courthouse due to the cold weather.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 18,762 new infections and 176 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Weekly 13 – 19 December 2021
Turkey Today – 19.12.2021
Volkan Temel, a Kurd, was attacked in Ankara’s Mamak district. The attackers shouted “disgusting Kurds”.
Şenyaşar family’s search for justice continues on day 286. The family lost three members as a result of the attacks of AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives.
A penal court in Trabzon province will begin the retrial of the case of Metin Lokumcu, a left-wing teacher who lost his life after exposure to excessive amounts of tear gas during a protest in neighbouring Artvin in 2011.
Covid-19: 16,910 new infections and 171 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 18.12.2021
The house of DBP Mardin Provincial Director Celal Ata was raided by the police. Ata was taken into custody as part of an investigation launched by the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Families of political prisoners in Imrali among them PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan have applied once again to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their relatives. Saturday Mothers came together in week 873 to ask those responsible for the death of Nihat Aydoğan who disappeared after detention on November 30, 1994 in Mardin.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 17,644 new infections and 191 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 17.12.2021
Police detained 12 people in an investigation into the HDP congress in İstanbul on December 12 over “slogans and songs praising terrorists”.
Urging immediate action for ill prisoners’ rights and health, the HDP says, “These seriously sick prisoners might have been alive today if the Forensic Medicine Institution and courts had allowed their release”.
The first hearing of the trial where journalist Namık Koçak faces “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in İstanbul. The court’s accepted the excuse of Koçak’s lawyer and adjourned the trial until March 2022.
Four journalists and columnists have resigned from daily Cumhuriyet following the resignation of dismissed Editor-in-Chief Aykut Küçükkaya.
Covid-19: 18,141 new infections and 190 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 16.12.2021
The third hearing of the trial where Mesopotamia News Agency reporter Mehmet Aslan faces “membership in a terrorist organization” was held in İstanbul. The journalist has been acquitted of all charges. The international travel ban imposed on him has also been lifted.
The fifth hearing of the trial where journalist Derya Okatan faces “public insult” charges was held in İstanbul. The hearing’s been postponed to a later date because the judge is on leave.
The 11th hearing of the trial where since shuttered TV10’s former cameraman Kemal Demir and employee Kemal Karagöz face “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization without being a member” charges was held in Istanbul. The court sentenced Demir to 3 years 9 months in prison. Karagöz is acquitted of “membership” charges.
Turkey’s Vice Ministers of Treasury and Finance Gül and Yıldırım have been removed from office by Erdoğan’s Presidential decision.
Amid concerns over omicron variant, Turkey now gives booster shots to people who received their last dose at least 3 months ago.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 18,100 new infections and 167 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 15.12.2021
The hearing of the trial where the Chair and Exec. Board Members of the Ankara Bar Association face “insulting a public official because of his religious beliefs, thoughts and convictions” charges was held in Ankara. There are riot police inside the courthouse. Trial adjourned until March 2022.
In the case of the suspicious death of Garibe Gezer in prison, a confidentiality order has been imposed on both the file of the investigation into “maltreatment” and the file on her death.
The military operation that started on December 11 in Mardin’s Nusaybin district continues. Today the area around a cemetery was bombed.
The sixth hearing of the trial where journalist Engin Korkmaz faces “insulting the president” charges was held in Antalya. The hearing’s been postponed until January because the presiding judge is on leave.
Turkey’s media overseeing body RTÜK has fined Netflix over the “immoral” plot of the film “More the Merrier” and ordered its removal.
CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu “will be honored to run for President if the Nation’s Alliance accepts it as well”.
Given a report of “he can stay in prison” by the Forensic Medicine Institution, ill prisoner Halil Güneş has lost his life in prison.
Covid-19: 19,872 new infections and 193 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 14.12.2021
Minister of Foreign Affairs Çavuşoğlu has said, “The ECtHR judgements on Osman Kavala were implemented and he was released. But as there are other cases against him, he was not released from prison.”
The anonymous witness in the case against Garibe Gezer who was, as a result, sentenced to aggravated life in prison, can not be found for the last 5 years. Gezer died under suspicious circumstances in Kandıra Prison.
The second hearing of the retrial where newspaper distributors Veysi Altın and Ercan Yeltaş face “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” charges was held in Diyarbakır. Giving time to the defense to prepare their statements against the prosecutor’s opinion, the court’s adjourned the trial until March 2022.
Four trans women have been put on trial for “indecent behavior” for standing on the street; the indictment has cited it as “criminal evidence” that “their legs and breasts were visible and they made facial gestures”.
A group of students who wanted to organize a forum at Ankara University were subjected to police violence and detained.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 21,477 new infections and 181 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 13.12.2021
The General Directorate of Security filed a criminal complaint against the HDP Istanbul congress, which was attended by thousands of people.
HDP Group Deputy Chair Meral Danış Beştaş said that a disciplinary investigation has been launched against the prisoners who protested the death of Garibe Gezer, who died under suspicious circumstances in Kandıra Prison.
The court of appeals has found the Ministry of Interior negligent in the killing of a citizen by special operations police officers in Mardin’s Nusaybin during curfew in October 2015; the family will be paid damages.
The eighth hearing of the trial where journalist Durket Süren faces “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization” charges was held in Diyarbakır. In his opinion, the prosecutor requested that Dürken be acquitted of “aiding and abetting” charges and be sentenced for “propaganda” charges. Giving additional time to the defense to prepare their statements, the court adjourned the trial until February 2022.
Columnist Hasan Cemal has been put on trial again for “insulting the President” over his social media messages.
Covid-19: 18,796 new infections and 171 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Weekly 6 – 12 December 2021
Turkey Today – 12.12.2021
The newly-elected head of the Turkish Union of Bar Associations has said that the union will follow Osman Kavala’s case closely from now on.
Turkish President Erdoğan has referred to social media as “one of the main sources of threats to democracy.”
AKP official Kürşat Kılıç has resigned over a video showing him sleeping next to methamphetamine and drug-related objects. The official refused to comment on the issue and threatened to sue the journalist reporting it.
Thousands of people attended the fourth regular congress of HDP İstanbul branch.
Turkish police attacked young people coming from outside the city to participate in the ‘we can’t shelter’ protest in Ankara and detained 30 students using violence.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 17,956 new infections and 182 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 11.12.2021
Police raided HDP Cizre District Organization building. Simultaneous house raids were carried out in Cizre and Silopi. Several people were taken into custody.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 872 to ask those responsible for the death of Hüseyin Taşkaya who disappeared after detention on December 6, 1993 in Urfa.
A commemoration event was held to mark the 74th month of the massacre in which more than 100 people lost their lives as a result of a suicide attack by ISIS during a peace rally on October 10, 2015 in Ankara.
CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has filed an application with the top judicial body HSK, demanding that they launch an investigation into a judge for ordering a media ban on one of his speeches about President Erdoğan.
An Istanbul court has accepted prosecutors’ indictment seeking jail terms for 14 students who in October staged a protest against the appointment of Prof. Dr. Naci İnci as rector of Istanbul’s prestigious Boğaziçi University.
Covid-19: 19,255 new infections and 191 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 10.12.2021
Kurdish political prisoner Garibe Gezer has died in High Security Prison in Kandıra. The prison management claimed that she committed suicide.
Her attorney Veysi Eski said that the emergency button in her cell was disabled. Gezer had announced that she was tortured and sexually assaulted.
The İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court has rejected the appeal against the continued imprisonment of businessperson and rights defender Osman Kavala.
Family of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for a meeting.
The first hearing of the trial where journalist Ahmet Kanbal faces “identifying the officials on anti-terrorist duties as targets” and “insulting a public official” charges was held in Aydın.The court accepted Musa Çitil’s request to intervene and the request of Kanbal and his lawyers for additional time to prepare their statements against the prosecutor’s opinion. Trial adjourned until February 2022.
The second hearing of the trial where 8 people who were detained during the 26th June Pride March was held in İstanbul. As the judge is on leave, the hearing was adjourned.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 18,561 new infections and 176 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 09.12.2021
HDP deputy Ayşe Sürücü was prevented from speaking Kurdish in Turkey’s parliament. Deputy Parliament Speaker Bilgiç turned off the microphone and turned it back on when Sürücü switched to Turkish.
HDP Urfa MP Nusrettin Maçin has been invited to leave the General Assembly hall and suspended from three sessions of the General Assembly of the Parliament for saying “Freedom to Kurdistan” in his speech during the budget talks.
Arrested at the age of 14 for “killing” four people during Kobanî incidents, Mazlum İ. is given a life sentence while evidence suggests that he was at a wedding during the incident. “This ruling is political,” says his lawyer Karaman.
Several political prisoners in Van are being held beyond their regular prison term on the pretext of disciplinary punishment. Sentences of 5 prisoners was extended for the second time by six months.
Covid-19: 19,696 new infections and 195 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 08.12.2021
HDP Women’s Assembly called on the Ministry of Justice and demanded the immediate release of their former MP Aysel Tuğluk who suffers from memory loss.
The hearing of the trial where JinNews reporter Gülşen Koçuk faces “terror propaganda” charges was held in Diyarbakır. Koçuk was sentenced to 1 year and 10 months in prison. The pronouncment of judgement was adjourned.
The 6th hearing of the trial where six people including journalist Dicle Muftuoglu and Aziz Oruç face “membership in a terrorist organization” charges was held in Ağrı. The court’s decided to wait for the digital materials examination reports and adjourned the trial until March 2022.
Halk TV reporter Hazar Dost has been detained at the airport in Antalya. It’s been reported that Dost’s been detained because of a news report he did earlier about a private university.
Seriously ill prisoner Emin Özkan (83), who has corona, was taken to intensive care due to respiratory failure. He was accused of assassinating Brigadier General Bahtiyar Aydın in Lice & has been imprisoned for 26yrs. Despite the revelation that JİTEM killed Aydın, Özkan is not released.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 20,847 new infections and 192 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 07.12.2021
A total of 15 new summaries of proceedings have been submitted to the Parliament seeking to revoke the parliamentary membership of 12 deputies of HDP and an independent deputy.
A lawsuit was filed against Osman Şiban, who was seriously injured after being thrown from a helicopter by the soldiers in Çatak, on the allegation of “being a member of a terrorist organization”.
A court has blocked access to news reports covering a speech of CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu about President Erdoğan.
A lawsuit has been filed against two journalists for reporting on the allegations of bribery about President Erdoğan’s former lawyer.
Covid-19: 22,687 new infections and 198 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 06.12.2021
In the Kobanî trial, the court held the hearing without waiting for the upper court to examine the defendants’ request for recusal. It has rejected the jailed politicians’ requests for being exempted from the hearings. Today’s hearing was also held in an empty courtroom.
Ill prisoner Aziz Tufan, who is being held in Diyarbakır High Security Prison No. 1 and who is constantly taken to the hospital due to his health problems, has been held under quarantine for 73 days on the grounds of the measures taken against the pandemic.
Launching a similar campaign itself, the trustee-led Municipality of Siirt has asked HDP’s dismissed co-mayors and 23 municipal council members, including a deceased one, to pay the written-off water debt interest.
Hüseyin Gökoğlu, one of the HDP’s Ankara officials, was detained without being allowed to dress up. His lawyer said that his client is accused of insulting President Erdoğan.
Emine Şenyaşar, who is staging a sit in for justice for her husband and two sons who were murdered in Urfa, was summoned by police to give a statement for the 10th time.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 20,033 new infections and 187 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 04.12.2021
Erinç Sağkan has been elected as the new chair of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB). The previous chair Metin Feyzioğlu lost the election.
MHP Ereğli district deputy head Hasan Yazar has punched and threatened journalist Özcan Saraç in the Ereğli district of Konya.
Duvar correspondent Mimar Kaya was detained as he was documenting a road brawl between special forces police and a driver in Hakkari.
Continuing the Justice Watch for 271 days, Şenyaşar family called on for solidarity to their sit in, in front of the Urfa Courthouse.
The governor’s office of Mardin has banned the performance of the Kurdish play Tartuffe by the Diyarbakır Municipal Theatre. The governor’s office cited the existing ban on assemblies, which is extended every 14 days, as the reason.
Covid-19: 19,357 new infections and 185 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 03.12.2021
Police raided the home of Human Rights Association’s (İHD) co-chair Eren Keskin at midnight over an investigation concerning a speech she held in Dersim two and a half years ago.
CHP held its first rally in protest of the government’s failing economic policies in Mersin. The rally saw the attendance of thousands of people.
Saturday Mothers came together in week 871 to ask those responsible for the death of İbrahim Demir und Agit Akipa who disappeared after detention on December 12, 1991.
According to Cumhuriyet newspaper, the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs has been obtaining the contact information of Covid-19 patients without their permission under the guide of their “Spiritual Guidance” program.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 20,374 new infections and 228 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 03.12.2021
The General Assembly of the Constitutional Court has concluded that the failure to conduct an investigation against the public officials who did not take the necessary measures despite the applications and the legislation foreseeing sufficient opportunities to protect the woman led to a violation of rights.
Case of İpek Er: Reducing his prison sentence due to “good conduct”, the court has ruled that Musa O., a discharged specialized sergeant, shall be sentenced to 10 years in prison for “aggravated sexual assault”
A criminal complaint has been filed against the law enforcement and National Intelligence Organization (MİT) officers over their responsibility in the attack targeting the HDP İzmir office on June 17 and claimed the life of Deniz Poyraz.
Stating that the isolation in Imrali is unacceptable,Turkey Human Rights Foundation Chair Metin Bakkalcı said that they will continue their initiatives regarding the situation in Imrali.
Diyarbakır Bar Association has applied to the Constitutional Court and requested the rejection of the court case seeking the closure of the HDP and a 5-year political ban on 451 politicians, including HDP Co-Chairs.
Questioning the accuracy of the official inflation rate, CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu wanted to visit TurkStat. He was not allowed to enter the building.
Artist Vesile Yüksel said that she was subjected to strip search by the police while her house was being raided on November 27.
It has been stated that in Silivri Prison No. 3, where the obligation to speak Turkish is imposed on the relatives of the prisoners for telephone conversations, 20 detainees are given food for 5 people.
Covid-19: 21,495 new infections and 187 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 02.12.2021
The 13th hearing of the trial where Azadiya Welat and Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspapers’ distributors Mikail Tunçdemir and Ferhat Duman face terrorism charges was held in Van. Tunçdemir, Duman and their lawyers whose excuses were accepted by the court, did not attend the hearing. The trial is adjourned until March 2022.
The first hearing of the trial where journalist and author Zekine Türkeri faces “making terrorist propaganda” charges was held in İstanbul. The prosecutor presented his final opinion as to the merits of the case at the first hearing and requested that Türkeri be sentenced for the charges. The court’s accepted Türkeri’s lawyers request for additional time and adjourned the trial until March 2022.
Confirming the fears of many in the wake of historic wildfires in Turkey this summer, a newly released regulation by the Forestry and Agriculture Ministry allows the development of everything from prisons to religious facilities on forested land.
While Turkey hasn’t yet detected a case of the new coronavirus variant Omicron, there is nothing to worry even if it did, according to Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 21,747 new infections and 192 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 01.12.2021
A civil society alliance has been formed in Ankara to campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Turkey to be fair.
The 4th hearing of the trial where journalists Hazal Ocak, Olcay Büyüktaş, İpek Özbey and Vedat Arık face multiple charges upon the complaint of Presidency’s Director of Communications was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until March.
The sixth hearing of the trial where journalists Ersin Çaksu and Aziz Oruç face charges based on Turkish Penal Code’s Article 301 was held in İstanbul. Trial adjourned until March.
Twenty-one teachers in Diyarbakır have been expelled from public service over “terror ties” despite being acquitted in the trial.
Health minister: Turkey hasn’t detected Omicron variant yet and is not considering lockdowns.
Covid-19: 22,556 new infections and 196 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.