Turkey on Trial: Can Courts Control a Nation?

Political analysts and human rights organisations say Turkey’s courts are increasingly being used to reduce political dissent and to promote a more socially conservative society. The mayor of Istanbul, the opposition's leading figure, is on trial, other elected mayors have been removed from office, and students, journalists and entertainers prosecuted - even comedians have been jailed for making jokes about the President and ‘promiscuous Turkish Ottoman Sultans’. The government insists its courts are independent and simply applying the law. But critics say President Erdoğan is using the courts themselves as a weapon, waging "lawfare" to silence critics and extend his more than two decades in power.

Emily Wither meets some of those on trial in Turkey, and asks what has happened to the country's justice system, and space for free expression.

Presented by Emily Wither
Producer in London: Josephine Casserly