Defendants: Sibel Eres, Kadir Cesur, Nahide Aslan, Gülsün Altan, Serdar Altan, Koçali Özipek, Gürcan Bayrakçı and Nedim Dalga

Media Outlet and Position: Van TV – Executives, anchors, staff members

Accusations: Spreading terrorist propaganda

Possible sentence: –

Court: Van 4. High Criminal Court

Case Background:

The eight staff members of Van TV are facing charges of “spreading terrorist propaganda” concerning various news bulletins broadcast by Van TV between February and May 2016. Van TV was shut on July 20, 2016, as part of the media crackdown under the state of emergency.

During the sixth hearing on February 11, 2020, the lawyer of the defendant Kadir Cesur was present, while the lawyers of the other defendants reported their excuses. The prosecutor submitted a final opinion demanding Eres and Altan to be sentenced for “spreading terrorist propaganda” while the others are to be sentenced for “consecutive terrorist propaganda”.

The court granted the defense lawyers additional time to prepare their defense against the prosecutor’s final opinion. The trial was adjourned until May 7, 2020.

Due to suspension of all judicial proceedings between March and June because of COVID-19 pandemic, the most recent hearing in this case on May 7 was postponed to September 15.

During the eighth hearing on September 15, 2020, defendant journalists were not present at the hearing. The prosecutor repeated the final opinion previously submitted.

The trial was adjourned until January 29, 2021.