126 politicians, journalists, lawyers, activists and artists were taken into custody in a nationwide operation in Turkey on Tuesday.

The Cologne-based Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD) released a statement urging all international human rights institutions to express their support and solidarity with the apprehended lawyers and the Association of Lawyers for Freedom.

In the morning hours of April 25, 2023, the offices of lawyers were illegally searched and many lawyers, politicians, artists and journalists were detained as part of an investigation by the Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The Association of Lawyers for Freedom (Özgürlük için Hukukçular Derneği) headquarters was also subjected to a search.

MAF-DAD noted that: “Due to the confidentiality order on the investigation file, information about the contents of the file could not be obtained and the detainees were restricted from meeting their lawyers for 24 hours. The searches of lawyers' offices and residences were carried out without a representative of the bar association in violation of the law, and case files were also illegally seized.”

“The defense is the only authority that stands against the judiciary, which has been dismantled by the AKP-MHP government and its biased prosecutors and judges, and defends the universal principles of law while fighting for human rights. Consequently, the pressure on lawyers is steadily increasing, and opponents are being targeted for intimidation through legal defense. The statement made by the Turkish Interior Minister on his Twitter account regarding this operation, "Those who work as lawyers on behalf of the terrorist organization are in custody," demonstrates that Kurdish lawyers are being criminalized, their professional activities are being unjustly accused of crimes, and they are being subjected to judicial pressure,” the statement underlined.

“We denounce this operation against lawyers, journalists and artists, and clearly emphasize that this operation aims to undermine the upcoming election process through the judiciary, and targets an election process that is not fair and independent. We stand with all lawyers, politicians, journalists and artists who have been detained, especially the Association of Lawyers for Freedom.”

MAF-DAD said: “We urge all international human rights institutions to express their support and solidarity with the apprehended lawyers and the Association of Lawyers for Freedom. MAF-DAD stands in solidarity with all detained lawyers who face intense pressure while practicing their profession in an honorable manner and fighting for the principles of law and human rights. We are with them in their legal struggle, and we will fight together.”