On September 8, 2025, a packed Ankara courtroom became the stage for an unfolding drama that has gripped Turkey’s political landscape and drawn the sharp gaze of Europe. Enes Hocaogullari, a 23-year-old youth and LGBTQ+ activist, was released from custody pending trial on charges of inciting hatred and spreading disinformation—a case that has quickly become a flashpoint in the country’s uneasy relationship with Western institutions.
Hocaogullari’s arrest in early August, after he landed at Ankara’s Esenboga airport, came on the heels of a high-profile trip to Strasbourg, France, where he served as a youth delegate at the Council of Europe. There, during a closed-door session in March, he delivered a speech that criticized the Turkish government’s handling of opposition figures and police conduct. Specifically, he condemned the dismissal of opposition mayors and what he described as police violence during protests tied to the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu—a popular opposition figure and, at the time, a newly nominated presidential candidate for the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
Prosecutors allege that Hocaogullari’s comments amounted to “spreading false information to mislead the public” and “inciting hatred and enmity among the public”—offenses that, if proven, could lead to several years behind bars. The charges have been met with fierce criticism from European diplomats, rights groups, and observers who packed the courtroom for his initial hearing. According to Reuters, diplomats from Western and European embassies, civil society groups, and opposition Members of Parliament filled the gallery, underscoring the international attention the case has garnered.
Hocaogullari’s appearance in court was a striking image: handcuffed, dressed in a black suit, and flanked by two gendarmes. But it was his words that resonated most. “I exercised my right to freedom of expression. I am innocent. In this hearing I request my release and, at the end of the trial, my acquittal,” he told the court, as quoted by Reuters. He maintained that his March speech had been delivered in a closed session and had been distorted in the public sphere.
His defense was both direct and defiant. According to the independent MLSA website, Hocaogullari stated, “I used my freedom of expression. I am innocent,” before formally requesting acquittal. He firmly rejected the notion that he had engaged in any illegal activity, a point he reiterated to the judge and those observing the proceedings.
The case has not unfolded in a vacuum. It comes at a time when Turkey is seeking to improve relations with its Western allies, even as tensions simmer over human rights and democratic backsliding. The Council of Europe, Europe’s leading human rights body, has been particularly vocal. A delegation from its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities visited Ankara the week before the hearing, meeting Hocaogullari in prison and later issuing a statement that left little room for ambiguity. “There was no justification for his prosecution or detention,” the delegation said, warning that silencing Hocaogullari would “also silence young people and democracy.”
Marc Cools, president of the Council of Europe’s local and regional authorities congress delegation, personally welcomed Hocaogullari’s release but pressed Turkish authorities to drop all charges against the activist. The Council’s criticism was echoed by Amnesty International and other rights groups, who called the arrest arbitrary and demanded Hocaogullari’s immediate and unconditional release.
Despite the outpouring of support and international scrutiny, the Turkish court did not acquit Hocaogullari. Instead, it ordered his release under judicial control measures, meaning he must regularly report to police while the trial continues. The next hearing is set for February 23, 2026, leaving months of uncertainty ahead for the young activist—and for the broader struggle over freedom of expression in Turkey.
Hocaogullari’s legal ordeal is set against a backdrop of wider political turmoil. His speech in Strasbourg singled out the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who was arrested in March 2025 on corruption allegations he strongly denies. Imamoglu’s arrest sent shockwaves through the Turkish opposition, especially as he was subsequently nominated as the presidential candidate for the CHP. Several other CHP mayors and municipal employees have also faced arrest as part of corruption investigations, charges the party categorically rejects.
The government’s stance has drawn international skepticism, with critics suggesting that the arrests of opposition figures are politically motivated. These developments have only intensified concerns among Turkey’s Western partners about the state of democracy and rule of law in the country. According to the Associated Press, the Council of Europe’s criticism of Hocaogullari’s detention is part of a broader pattern of concern about the Turkish government’s approach to dissent.
For Hocaogullari, the days since his arrest have been a whirlwind. His case quickly became a rallying point for civil society organizations and rights defenders, who see it as emblematic of a wider crackdown on free speech. The presence of so many diplomats and activists in the courtroom on September 8 sent a clear message: the world is watching. As Amnesty International and other groups have argued, the stakes are not just personal but profoundly political, touching on the rights of all young people and activists in Turkey.
Yet, for all the international attention, the outcome remains uncertain. The Turkish judiciary has a history of lengthy and unpredictable trials in politically sensitive cases. While Hocaogullari’s release pending trial is a temporary relief, the charges against him still carry the threat of a lengthy prison sentence. The court’s decision to impose judicial controls rather than unconditional release suggests the authorities are not ready to back down, despite mounting external pressure.
Observers say the case could have far-reaching implications. If Hocaogullari is convicted, it could chill dissent among young activists and reinforce the perception that Turkey’s government is intolerant of criticism. On the other hand, a full acquittal would signal a willingness to heed international concerns and perhaps mark a step toward mending ties with Europe. For now, the trial remains a litmus test for Turkey’s commitment to fundamental rights—and for the resilience of those who dare to speak out.
As the February hearing approaches, all eyes will remain on Ankara. The fate of one young activist has become entwined with the broader struggle for free expression and democratic values in Turkey, ensuring that the world’s attention will not easily be diverted.