Turkish-Kurdish filmmaker Kazım Öz was acquitted in April 2025 of “terrorist propaganda” charges in a case that drew international attention to freedom of artistic expression in Turkey. The Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court’s verdict concluded months of legal uncertainty for Öz, whose work has frequently explored Kurdish identity and historical memory.
Alleged “terrorist propaganda”
On January 22, 2025, Öz was detained at the Kemerburgaz Gendarmerie Command in Istanbul after being summoned by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor as part of an investigation into his 2017 film Zer and his public criticisms of government policy. The charge, alleged “terrorist propaganda”, focused on scenes in the film showing graffiti in the 67th and 69th minutes, and was further linked by prosecutors to social media posts Öz published that were critical of state actions.
After giving a statement at the Istanbul Courthouse, Öz was released but required to appear at a hearing scheduled for March 13, 2025. In public statements following his detention, Öz wrote: “Those who put art on trial will ultimately lose!” echoing his ongoing assertion that art and artists should not be subject to criminal prosecution for their work.
"Zer": Film and Controversy
Zer tells the story of Jan, a Turkish-American searching for the origins of a Kurdish folk song sung by his grandmother, and addresses the collective trauma of the Dersim Massacre. The film was initially approved with support from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture but later had its screening license withdrawn and was subjected to demands for scene removal due to its sensitive content on Kurdish history.
The Wikipedia and other credible sources document that the Ministry of Culture withdrew its support and subsequently required certain scenes about the Dersim Massacre to be excised prior to any public showings. The censored film, with some scenes blacked out, premiered at the 36th Istanbul Film Festival in 2017; screenings were then restricted and several theaters cancelled showings, as its certificate was annulled.
There are reports that Öz later made the film accessible online, including on YouTube, but it should be noted: the prosecutor’s arguments invoked “propaganda made on YouTube through the film” rather than stating that the mere act of posting it there directly led to new scrutiny or legal action. While Öz did release Zer on YouTube in 2023, available evidence does not show that this digital release was a distinct trigger for the 2025 case—prosecutors referred to the accessibility of the disputed scenes online as part of their argument.
Charges and Defense in Court
At the March 2025 hearing, the prosecutor contended that the inclusion of graffiti in two scenes constituted “terrorist organization propaganda” beyond the boundaries of art or thought. Öz and his lawyer, Kürşat Bafra, disputed the claim, noting that the graffiti pre-dated filming and had not been created by the filmmakers. The legal team stressed that, out of a 110-minute film, just a few shots with wall writings were deemed criminal, and neither content nor artistic purpose justified criminal liability.
The prosecution also referenced the posting of the film—specifically “the propaganda made on YouTube through the film”—as part of broader alleged intent. However, the specific timing and causality of the online release as a trigger for prosecution are not conclusively established in the available sources..
Support, Acquittal, and Broader Context
Rights advocates, cultural figures, and observers attended the hearings, underscoring fears that criminal charges over critical or historical content have a chilling effect on Turkey's creative sector. The Cinema Workers’ Union, press freedom NGOs, and international monitors condemned the use of anti-terror laws to target artists and filmmakers.
On April 9, 2025, the court ruled in favor of Öz’s acquittal, stressing that there was insufficient evidence of “specific intent” to support a conviction under anti-terror statutes. The judgment noted that the disputed scenes reflected the setting and subject matter, rejecting the prosecution’s argument that they were designed to praise or promote criminal organizations.
Öz expressed relief, saying, “I did not commit a crime. I request my acquittal,” and restated his belief in the role of art to confront historical trauma and injustice. Observers have described the verdict as a rare but welcome bright spot against a backdrop of continued pressure on free expression in Turkey.
Victory for Artistic Freedom: Kazım Öz Acquitted
Turkish-Kurdish filmmaker Kazım Öz has been acquitted of “terrorist propaganda” charges over his 2017 film Zer. The Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court ruled there was insufficient evidence of intent to promote violence, marking a rare positive outcome for creative expression in Turkey.
Zer tells the story of a Turkish-American man uncovering his Kurdish heritage and the legacy of the Dersim Massacre, tackling themes often considered sensitive. Öz’s legal ordeal drew attention to the pressures faced by artists addressing historical trauma and minority identity in Turkey.
The verdict reinforces that art, even when controversial, deserves protection—and that criminal prosecution should not be used to silence filmmakers. Öz called the acquittal “a vindication” and reaffirmed his commitment to telling stories that confront injustice.
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