The Istanbul Bar Association convened an extraordinary congress on Feb. 23 in response to a lawsuit filed by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor seeking the dismissal of its president and 10 board members, along with the organization of new elections.
Despite the legal challenge, no elections took place during the congress, where strong backing for the current leadership was demonstrated. All candidates from the October 2024 elections, as well as other lawyer groups that participated in the vote, attended the gathering to show solidarity with the board.
Held at the Haliç Congress Center, the event drew significant attendance, including Union of Turkish Bar Associations President Erinç Sağkan, bar association leaders from across Turkey, legal professionals from various countries, political party representatives, and numerous lawyers.
Call for Jailed Board Member’s Release
One of the defining moments of the congress was the call for the release of Istanbul Bar Association board member Fırat Epözdemir, who remains in custody as part of an ongoing “terrorism” investigation. His absence was symbolically marked by an empty seat on stage, accompanied by a placard reading, “Freedom to Lawyer Fırat Epözdemir!”
Addressing attendees, Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu reaffirmed the association’s commitment to the rule of law and constitutional principles.
“For the past two months, Turkey has been witnessing a rehearsal for dismantling the legal defense system through judicial manipulation,” Kaboğlu declared. He underscored that the board remains incomplete due to Epözdemir’s detention, which he described as based on fabricated evidence.
Kaboğlu also reminded the audience of Can Atalay, a fellow Istanbul Bar Association member who remains imprisoned despite being elected to parliament—remarks that were met with strong applause.
‘The Legal Defense Will Not Be Silenced’
Union of Turkish Bar Associations President Erinç Sağkan evoked the memory of dismissed military officers and murdered Diyarbakır Bar Association President Tahir Elçi, prompting an ovation from attendees.
Emphasizing that lawyers derive their strength from the people rather than the authorities, Sağkan asserted, “We do not submit, we do not bow down.” He firmly added, “The legal defense will not be silenced.”
Background: What Led to the Lawsuit?
The legal proceedings against the Istanbul Bar Association followed a press statement the organization issued condemning the killing of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in Syria on Dec. 21, 2024.
In response, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment, invoking “terrorism” charges to justify appointing a new board. The case is set to be heard on March 4 at the Istanbul 2nd Civil Court of First Instance.
Prior to this, on Jan. 15, the Bar Association held a meeting with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, where they decided to convene an extraordinary general assembly.
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