The Bar Council of England and Wales endorses the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) efforts to offer solidarity and support to our colleagues in Türkiye and the Istanbul Bar Association in advance of the criminal hearing scheduled to take place this week at the Marmara prison.
The CCBE has strongly condemned the dismissal of the President of the Istanbul Bar, İbrahim Kaboğlu, and other members of the Istanbul Bar Council following the hearing held on 21 March and held without adhering to fair trial principles. The hearings have been initiated in response to calls, by members of the Bar, for an impartial and effective investigation into the circumstances linked to the death of two journalists and accompanied by calls to respect international humanitarian law.
The Bar Council of England and Wales joins with the CCBE to express grave concerns about the ten members of the Istanbul Bar Council and its President who face criminal charges for ‘terrorist propaganda’ and ‘public dissemination of misleading information’ in response to their call for an impartial and effective investigation.
Lawyer Fırat Epözdemir, has also been arrested on 23 January 2025 at Istanbul airport and is still being held in pre-trial detention. On 8 April 2025, the prosecutor filed an indictment against Epözdemir on charges of “membership of an organisation” and “terrorist propaganda”. Epözdemir, has served as the President of the Lawyers for Freedom Association, his office computers and hardware have been seized, and he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Chair of the Bar, Barbara Mills KC, said: "We are gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation facing our colleagues and sister organisation in Türkiye. The actions of the authorities constitute a serious attack on the independence of lawyers, their representative organisations and the rule of law. We hope the international community and European institutions will take urgent action to protect lawyers and we urge the government in Türkiye to respect their international obligations relating to the independence of the legal profession."
Hugh Mercer KC, Chair of the Bar Council's International Committee, said: "Lawyers should be able to carry out their duties without facing threats, attack, reprisals, interference, intimidation or harassment. The Bar Council of England and Wales joins with the CCBE in calling for the immediate withdrawal of all legal proceedings against the Istanbul Bar Association and its leaders. We also support calls for the immediate and unconditional release of lawyer Fırat Epözdemir."