02.06.2026 20:40
Journalist Ercument Akdeniz, who was arrested and spent 8 months in prison as part of the HDK investigation, was acquitted in the case where he was charged with "membership in an organization." During the hearing held at the Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court, the prosecution requested Akdeniz's punishment in its opinion on the merits. After Akdeniz's defense, in which he rejected the allegations and stated that his activities consisted only of lawful political work and journalism, the court issued an acquittal decision.
Journalist Ercüment Akdeniz, who was detained within the scope of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) operations and held in prison for 8 months, was acquitted in the case where he was tried on charges of "membership in an organization." Akdeniz presented his defense at the fourth hearing held at the Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court, against the prosecutor's opinion demanding punishment. Akdeniz stated that the allegations against him were baseless. After the defense, the court panel announced its decision, ruling that Akdeniz was innocent and delivering an acquittal verdict.
"WE ARE BEING TRIED BASED ON A 14-YEAR-OLD PRELIMINARY REPORT"
Taking the floor during the hearing to respond to the prosecutor's opinion demanding punishment, Ercüment Akdeniz criticized the police preliminary reports that form the basis of the case. Reminding that top levels of the state had previously conducted official contacts with HDK representatives, Akdeniz spoke as follows:
"While the esteemed President, ministers, and parties in Parliament met with HDK, no warnings were issued. If these individuals were not seen as a criminal element at the highest level of the state, how can we be tried today based on a fabricated and conspiratorial preliminary report dating back 14 years? I cannot find a logical answer."
Stating that the wiretaps and photographs included in the file belong entirely to the legal political party, the Labor Party (EMEP), Akdeniz said the trial has reached a point of targeting a political party. Emphasizing that the Labor Party officially separated from HDK in 2014, Akdeniz noted that legal dues discussions were portrayed as "organization dues."
Pointing out that there are tragi-comic errors in the investigation file, Akdeniz used the following statements:
"The prosecution even misrepresented two ordinary books belonging to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, placing them in the file as organizational documents. How reliable can a preliminary report that cannot even write book names correctly be, along with the opinion based on it? Due to inconsistencies, the file has turned into a complete 'catch-all case.'"
"I HAVE TWO ORGANIZATIONS: DİSK BASIN-İŞ AND TGS"
Categorically denying the charge of membership in an armed organization, Ercüment Akdeniz stated that the only structures he is a member of are legal journalist unions. Akdeniz concluded his defense as follows:
"I have had no party affiliation since May 2023. I only have two organization memberships; one is DİSK Basın-İş, the other is the Turkish Journalists' Union. My only weapons are my pen, my lens, and my microphone. I am a journalist. This case is not just mine; it is a case for press and freedom of expression."
After a short recess, the court panel decided to acquit Ercüment Akdeniz, who had been in prison for 8 months, of all charges.