Opposition outlet HalkTV’s editor-in-chief released: All defendants acquitted

Türkiye’s opposition television network Halk TV‘s Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktas, the only detained defendant in a high-profile case involving journalists, was released after the court acquitted all defendants of charges related to “attempting to influence judicial duties” on Tuesday.

However, the case was sent to the reconciliation office for the charge of “eavesdropping and recording private conversations,” as the necessary reconciliation procedure had not been completed.

The case involved journalists from Halk TV: Suat Toktas, Seda Selek, Baris Pehlivan, Serhan Asker, and Kursad Oguz, who appeared in court for the first time.

The trial took place at Istanbul’s 54th Criminal Court, with demonstrations taking place outside the courthouse. Toktas had been detained on Jan. 30, 2025.

Defense statements

• Seda Selek (TV presenter) defended herself by stating that she didn’t know the recording would become a news story. She said the initiative to publish the news was not hers and left the public to interpret the meaning of her arrest.
• Kursad Oguz (program coordinator) explained that he recorded a conversation between Baris Pehlivan and an expert out of journalistic reflex and sent it to Toktas, who published it. He denied trying to influence the expert.
• Baris Pehlivan (journalist) stated that publishing the recording was in the public interest and rejected the accusation of influencing the expert, as the report was already written.
• Suat Toktas (editor-in-chief) argued that neither Selek nor Asker had any involvement in the case and emphasized that he accepted responsibility for his actions as a journalist. He pointed out that he was arrested without fleeing and had been detained for 34 days.

Court ruling

The court acquitted all defendants of the charge of attempting to influence the judicial process. However, the case regarding the eavesdropping charge was sent to the reconciliation office.

The court also lifted the judicial control measure for the defendants, including Suat Toktas, who was released from detention.

Detentions in investigation

The detentions follow the earlier arrests of journalist Baris Pehlivan, TV presenter Seda Selek, and Halk TV Responsible Manager Serhan Asker.

The trio had been taken into custody on charges including the unauthorized publication of telephone conversations with a state official and attempting to influence an expert witness.

According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was focused on allegations of “attempting to influence an expert witness” and “recording and publishing private conversations.”