Writer Aslı Erdoğan has been imprisoned for 95 days and philologist Necmiye Alpay for 85 days for showing solidarity to Özgür Gündem daily which has been shut down in the latest crackdown on media press. Following the interlocutory hearing verdict, Erdoğan and Alpay were released.

Within the scope of the case at Istanbul 23rd High Criminal Court, the first hearing of which will be held on December 29, aggravated life sentence is sought for Özgür Gündem Publication Advisory Council Members Aslı Erdoğan and Necmiye Alpay, Chief Editor Zana Bilir Kaya and Editor İnan Kızılkaya for “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state” and “spreading propaganda for and membership to a terrorist organization”.