Turkish Court Convicts Kurdish Journalist on Terrorism Propaganda Charges

Turkish authorities have handed down a suspended prison sentence to Kurdish journalist Mehmet Üçar on terrorism propaganda charges, marking another chapter in the country’s ongoing scrutiny of journalists covering Kurdish issues.

The Batman 2nd High Criminal Court issued a suspended sentence of more than one year after convicting Üçar of disseminating terrorist propaganda. The charges stemmed from articles he published in the Germany-based Yeni Özgür Politika newspaper and PolitikArt, a culture and arts magazine, as well as freelance payments he received for his work.

While the suspended sentence means Üçar will not serve time in prison immediately, he faces incarceration if he commits a similar offense within the next five years. This conditional freedom places significant constraints on his ability to continue reporting on sensitive topics.

Üçar was among nine journalists swept up in a wider crackdown on November 26, 2024, when Turkish authorities detained 240 people as part of an investigation conducted by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. During that operation, he was initially accused of membership in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an organization designated as terrorist by Turkey and many Western nations including the United States and European Union.

After spending approximately eight months in pretrial detention, authorities released Üçar in July 2025 under judicial supervision while his case proceeded through the courts.

The case highlights Turkey’s contentious approach to journalism related to the Kurdish question, a complex issue encompassing demands for equal rights, cultural recognition, and political representation by the country’s estimated 15-20 million Kurdish citizens.

Media freedom advocates have consistently criticized Turkey’s use of anti-terrorism legislation against journalists. Organizations including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders argue that authorities frequently conflate legitimate journalistic activity—such as interviewing sources across the political spectrum, covering contentious topics, or receiving payment for reporting—with criminal acts supporting terrorist organizations.

Press freedom watchdogs point out that such prosecutions typically lack evidence of direct involvement in violence or explicit incitement, instead focusing on journalistic output that may be critical of government policies or that covers perspectives authorities deem problematic.

The Media and Law Studies Association, which reported on Üçar’s sentencing, has documented numerous similar cases where journalists face legal consequences for their reporting on Kurdish issues, creating what they describe as a chilling effect on press freedom in the country.

This pattern of legal pressure on journalists has contributed to Turkey’s low standing in international press freedom rankings. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranks 159th out of 180 nations, reflecting significant concerns about the state of media independence in the country.

Expression Interrupted, a project tracking freedom of expression violations in Turkey, reports that 27 journalists are currently imprisoned in the country. Many face terrorism-related charges similar to those brought against Üçar.

Turkey’s approach to media freedom has drawn criticism from international human rights bodies, including the European Court of Human Rights, which has ruled against the country in multiple cases involving journalist detentions and prosecutions.

Media experts note that the suspended sentence against Üçar, while not resulting in immediate imprisonment, represents a form of judicial control that may lead to self-censorship and limit journalistic coverage of politically sensitive issues, particularly those related to the Kurdish population and their concerns.