TURKEY: Judicial observation mission – proceedings against the President of the Istanbul Bar and members of the Bar Council. (Istanbul, 4 March 2025)
Trial observation of: the President of the Istanbul Bar and members of the Bar Council
Date of hearing: 4 March, 2025
Report date: March, 2025
Description:
On 19 December 2024, two Turkish journalists were killed in an attack in Syria. Following this event, several journalists’ and trade union organisations called for an effective investigation into their deaths. A demonstration was organised in Sishane on 21 December 2024, near the headquarters of the Istanbul Bar Association, to seek justice. The police intervened and made arrests, including of lawyers who were members of the Bar.
On the same day, the Istanbul Bar Association published a message calling for the protection of journalists in conflict zones and the release of those taking part in the protests. On 22 December 2024, the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office announced that it was launching an investigation into the Bar Association for terrorist propaganda and spreading false information.
The case took a judicial turn when, on 14 January 2025, the Ministry of Justice authorised proceedings against the Bar President and the members of the Bar Council. A decisive hearing was held on 4 March 2025 before the Istanbul Court.
Richard Sédillot, a lawyer at the Rouen Bar, and Alessandro Bertoli, a lawyer at the Brescia Bar, travelled to Istanbul as representatives of the OIAD to observe the hearing.
The next hearing is scheduled for 21 March 2025.
Read the mission report:
