Justice for Hakan Tosun

Press and observers restricted in trial over journalist Hakan Tosun’s killing The first hearing in the case over the killing of journalist Hakan Tosun, who was beaten to death in the street in Istanbul in October 2025, is starting at the Bakırköy 17th Heavy Penal Court. Detained defendants Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin are being tried on charges of “intentional killing” and face aggravated life sentences. Observers from RSF, DİSK Basın-İş, the Turkish Journalists’ Association (TGC), the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), and MLSA, along with many of Tosun’s colleagues, wanted to attend the hearing. However, the court imposed restrictions on the press, citing the small size of the courtroom. The presiding judge said that only three lawyers, one MP, one bar association representative, and four journalists would be allowed into the courtroom. Photography in the courthouse corridor was also prohibited.