The trial of journalist Sabiha Temizkan has taken place at the 35th Heavy Penal Court of Istanbul on Thursday. Temizkan did not attend the trial for health reasons and was represented by her lawyer Zelal Pelin Doğan. The trial was adjourned until 22 September.

The Kurdish journalist is accused of "propaganda for a terrorist organisation". It is based on an article she posted on Twitter in 2014 about the attack of the ISIS on Maxmur refugee camp in Southern Kurdistan. The tweet read: "The Maxmur camp is in the hands of the ISIS". If convicted, she faces a prison sentence of several years.

Temizkan was subject to another investigation by the General Prosecutor's Office of Istanbul in February, again over her posts on social networks, which were interpreted as "incitement of the people". During the interrogation, the journalist was also questioned about an interview she conducted for the pro-Kurdish newspaper Yeni Yaşam with Leyla Güven, who was on hunger strike at the time and is the mother of Sabiha Temizkan. Temizkan explained to the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) that the indictment against her not only lacked any legal basis, but also served to criminalize her profession and intimidate her colleagues.