Travel ban on presenter Ece Üner lifted, hearing adjourned

The first hearing in the trial of journalist Ece Üner, who is being prosecuted over a social media post, was held in Istanbul. The court lifted the travel ban on Üner and adjourned the hearing to September 19, 2025.

In the case heard at the Istanbul 19th Criminal Court of First Instance, the Halk TV main news anchor faces up to 2 years in prison on charges of "publicly degrading the judicial organs of the state" and "attempting to influence a fair trial."

The investigation began following a response Üner made to a social media post announcing that journalist İsmail Saymaz's passport had been seized. In her post, Üner had used the phrase, "The character assassinations by FETÖ-remnant operation children have become tiresome." Following these remarks, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation.

During the investigation process, Üner had been released under judicial control in the form of a travel ban. However, at the first hearing held today, the court decided to lift this ban.

The next hearing of the case will take place on September 19, 2025.