Verdict in HDK case: 'Ercüment Akdeniz acquitted'

Within the scope of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) investigation, all charges against Akdeniz, who was held in prison for 241 days during the investigation, were dropped.

Ercüment Akdeniz, the only defendant in the case who was not in custody, and his lawyers were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court. At the hearing, which was also reported live from the courthouse by BirGün columnist Zafer Arapkirli, Akdeniz delivered his final defense on the merits and strongly rejected the allegations against him.

"I AM BEING TRIED WITH NON-EXISTENT EVIDENCE AND A FRAME-UP"

Emphasizing that he is not a member of the HDK and that the structure in question is not an illegal organization, Ercüment Akdeniz stated the following in his defense in court:

"It is not true that the HDK is a secret and armed organization. HDK spokespersons served as members of parliament in the resolution process commission in the Turkish Grand National Assembly in the past. Because I served as the Chairman of EMEP for a period, I am being tried with non-existent evidence, a frame-up, and alleged denunciations. Every legal activity of my party is presented to me as if it were illegal. I am only a member of two professional organizations; one is the DİSK Basın-İş union. Even the journalism I did during the Gezi period is being portrayed as a crime."

Akdeniz's lawyer stated that his client was victimized three times more due to his identity as a journalist, and expressed that his right to gather news, his ability to work due to the seizure of his digital materials, and his professional activities as a migration expert journalist due to the travel ban were unlawfully obstructed.

"I do not know him, I only know him from the media"

One of the most important turning points that changed the course of the case was the witness testimonies heard in previous hearings. The first witness, who was alleged to have testified against Akdeniz, confessed in the presence of the court that he "did not know" Akdeniz at all, did not remember his previous statements, and had not witnessed any illegal acts by him.

In fact, upon the instruction of the Presiding Judge to "Turn around and take a look," the witness, who looked at Akdeniz from the stand, nullified the allegations by saying, "I do not know him, I only know him from the media. I have never witnessed any illegal act of his."

241 DAYS OF VICTIMIZATION ENDED

Ercüment Akdeniz, who was arrested within the scope of the investigation conducted last year and held in a cell in prison for exactly 241 days, was released at the hearing on October 23, 2025, on the condition of judicial control and a travel ban.

Announcing its verdict today, the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court panel acquitted journalist Ercüment Akdeniz on the grounds that there was no concrete and convincing evidence, and also lifted his travel ban.