Media outlet: Mezopotamya Agency – MA (Reporter)

Accusations: Membership of a terrorist organization; Spreading terrorist propaganda

Case background:On April 25, 2023, coordinated dawn raids in Turkey targeted homes and offices of 128 people including journalists, lawyers, rights defenders, political activists and artists in 20 provinces, based on unclear terrorism charges. Mezopotamya Agency (MA) reporter Mehmet Şah Oruç and nine other journalists were also among those detained. He was detained in Diyarbakır and later arrested with three other journalists and one media worker. Oruç was sent to Diyarbakır High Security Closed Prison. Due to the decision of “lack of jurisdiction” in the indictment. Diyarbakir 4. High Criminal Court sent his file to Bitlis, where Oruç resides. The indictment was accepted by Bitlis 2. High Criminal Court. The prosecution demanded that Gök be sentenced up to 22 years and 6 months for “membership of a terrorist organization” and “spreading terrorist propaganda”. His first hearing was scheduled for September 14, 2023. On August 12, 2023, it was reported that Oruç was taken ill and returned to prison after two days of treatment in the hospital.