Istanbul Bar Association held an extraordinary congress to stand behind its current board, rejecting the lawsuit filled by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor requesting for dismissal of its board and new elections.
The Istanbul Bar Association on Feb. 23 convened an extraordinary congress following a lawsuit filed by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor demanding the dismissal of its president and 10 board members and the organization of new elections.
No elections were held at the congress, and strong support for the board was expressed. The extraordinary congress was attended by all candidates who ran in the last elections organized in October 2024. All the other lawyer groups who competed in the elections also attended to congress and showed their support.
The congress, held at the Haliç Congress Center, was attended by the President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Erinç Sa?kan, bar association presidents from across Turkey, numerous lawyers, political party representatives, and legal professionals from various countries.
During the congress, a call for the release of Istanbul Bar Association board member F?rat Epözdemir, who was arrested as part of an ongoing “terrorism” investigation, was made. His seat was left empty on the stage with a placard that read, “Freedom to Lawyer F?rat Epözdemir!”
Speaking at the congress, Istanbul Bar Association President ?brahim Kabo?lu emphasized their commitment to the rule of law and the constitution, stating, “For the past two months in Turkey, there has been a rehearsal on how to dismantle the legal defense system through judicial manipulation. Our 11-member board is incomplete, as one of our members has been deprived of his freedom based on fabricated evidence.”
Kabo?lu also reminded attendees that Can Atalay, who remains imprisoned despite being elected as a member of parliament, has been also a member of the Istanbul Bar Association. His remarks received strong applause from the audience.
The President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Sa?kan, invoked the memory of recently dismissed military officers and murdered Diyarbak?r Bar Association President Tahir Elçi, which was met with an ovation.
