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Legal Clash: Istanbul Prosecutor Files Case Against Bar Association Leadership

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On January 14, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit seeking the dismissal of İbrahim Kaboğlu, President of the Istanbul Bar Association, and its executive board members. The lawsuit demands new leadership elections, citing allegations of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "publicly disseminating misleading information."

Root of the Controversy

The allegations stem from a December 2024 post on the bar association's social media, which called for an investigation into the murders of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Syria. Prosecutors claim the post praised members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and accused state officials of war crimes, aligning with the propaganda of a terrorist group.

Bar Association and TBB Push Back

The Istanbul Bar Association criticized the investigation, labeling it "legally flawed" and pointing out procedural errors:
  • No consultation with board members or Ministry of Justice approval was sought before initiating the process, as required by law.
  • The request for ministry approval on December 25 was deemed "symbolic" and contrary to the Constitution and the Attorneyship Law.
The association also condemned the prosecution's premature naming of board members as suspects, arguing this violated the presumption of innocence and unfairly targeted their leadership. Erinç Sağkan, President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), expressed strong opposition:
“For 147 years, the Istanbul Bar Association has neither feared nor bowed down; it has courageously stood by rights, law, and justice. It will continue to do so in the future.”

Prosecutor's Defense

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office defended its actions, stating the lawsuit was justified by the bar’s social media post, which allegedly served the propaganda goals of a terrorist organization. The investigation progressed quickly:
  • Leaders provided statements on January 7.
  • The case file was submitted to the Justice Ministry for prosecution approval.
The prosecution emphasized the court is expected to issue a ruling within three months.

Implications

This high-profile case has reignited debates about legal safeguards, freedom of expression, and judicial independence in Türkiye. While the bar association insists on upholding legal integrity, the prosecutor’s office maintains the investigation is rooted in national security concerns. The verdict will likely set a significant precedent for similar cases in the future.

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