IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet

Student Esila Ayık has been kept in pretrial detention for over a month despite having chronic health issues. She is currently in Bakırköy Women’s Prison.

Activist Asya Gökalp was arrested for “inciting hatred and enmity” after she characterised people who make the nationalist “grey wolf salute” and ultranationalists as terrorists. Her lawyer says prison staff have harassed her because of her gender identity.

A lawsuit was filed against researcher Bülent Şık, after he, in articles for “bianet” and “Cumhuriyet”, wrote about research results that were kept secret by the Health Ministry. These results revealed “health-threatening” levels of pesticides and other chemicals in some food and water.

Seven journalists who were taken into custody in March have been accused by the prosecutor of “participating” in the mass protests rather than reporting on them.

The indictment filed by the Prosecutor’s Office claims that security forces used “proportional force” against the protesters, who allegedly resisted law enforcement, obstructed officers, and committed the offense of “insulting the president”.

In their crackdown on mass protests against the arrest of İstanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, the authorities have detained over 1,000 people, including several journalists. Police have also attacked reporters covering the protests.

Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained on corruption and terrorism-related charges while he was preparing to be declared the CHP’s candidate for the 2028 presidential election.

New legislation provides prison sentences for falsely claiming a cybersecurity-related data leak has occurred. It also allows authorities to access private information without sufficient safeguards.