The Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court ruled to dismiss Istanbul Bar Association President Ibrahim Kaboğlu and the entire executive board, citing charges of 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization' and 'spreading false information.' The case stems from a statement made by the bar in response to the killing of journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan in a drone strike in Northern and Eastern Syria.

The hearing was attended by legal professionals, political party representatives, union officials, and international observers. Executive board member Fırat Epözdemir—currently imprisoned in a separate case—participated via video link.

This is an attack on the right to defense

Union of Turkish Bar Associations President Erinç Sağkan described the decision as a disgrace to the legal profession and stated: “What took place here today was not a trial. What we witnessed was one of the gravest violations of judicial independence under political influence. Today, the right to legal defense for 85 million people has been destroyed. It is a shameful ruling! No power is strong enough to silence the bar associations, suppress the defense, or reshape any of our bars. Our strength does not come from the political authority of the moment—it comes from the citizens. With its 65,000 members, the Istanbul Bar Association will continue to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of Turkey’s 85 million citizens. The defense has not been silenced—and it never will be. We have never bowed, and we never will.”

Our right to a fair trial is being violated

Istanbul Bar Association President Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Kaboğlu also spoke during the hearing and stated: “Any decision made here will inevitably be overturned by the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, or the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). You are rejecting our motions without providing justification. This is not in line with the Constitution. Our right to a fair trial is being violated. Our right to be presumed innocent is being violated. Even in times of war, this right cannot be touched. The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, by targeting us, is infringing upon our rights as the bar’s administration. Bar associations are accountable solely to their general assemblies. The Istanbul Bar Association’s four-month performance was reviewed at the extraordinary general assembly held on February 23, 2025, and our administration was cleared. And look, lawyer Fırat Epözdemir can only be seen through a screen. There is no valid reason for his arrest. His detention is unconstitutional. An independent judiciary has the duty to protect the law and democracy.”

Do not think we are unaware of the pressure being applied

Istanbul Bar Association Executive Board member Fırat Epözdemir began his remarks by sending greetings and thanking those who came in solidarity.

He said: “If I were to ask this court, ‘At what point does our statement deviate from its purpose?’ could you answer? The only references in the case file are to the investigation dossiers of Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin. Determining whether an illegal act exists is not the responsibility of this court, but of criminal courts. You do not have the authority to decide that. In fact, in my view, you cannot even dismiss this case, you must wait for the outcome of the criminal trial. If you are going to proceed with this case—and it appears that you are—it’s only because you have no other option. But do not think we are unaware of the pressure being exerted on you.”

We will continue to speak the language of law

Lawyer Turgut Kazan stated: “There is only one language in today’s judiciary, the language of control, the language of fear, the language of trusteeship. But we, as lawyers, will continue to speak the language of law. Even when faced with a judiciary that refuses to implement even the rulings of the Constitutional Court.”