In a quest for a fair trial, Adv. Ebru Timtik has passed away on the 238th day of her death fast in detention ward of Istanbul Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital.
Imprisoned lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal from the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) in Turkey started a hunger strike action on 3 February 2020, in protest of the long jail sentences they have been sentenced to for “membership of a terrorist organisation”. On 5 April 2020, Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal turned their hunger strike into a ‘death fast’ in protest of the long jail sentences they have been sentenced to. They are asking for their appeals to be considered by the Court of Cassation immediately.
On 30 July 2020, the İstanbul Forensic Medicine Institution concluded that health condition of Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal was not suitable to remain in prison. Despite the medical report, Istanbul Court dismissed a request for their release and ordered them to be taken to a hospital detention ward instead.
Unfortunately on the 238th day of her death-fast Ebru Timtik has passed away while her appeal is pending before the Court of Cassation. Despite the calls by hundreds of lawyers across the world, the Turkish Court of Cassation has made their appeals waiting.
Aytaç Ünsal’s condition remains critical.
MASS PROSECUTION OF LAWYERS IN TURKEY (AUGUST 2020)
According to our latest report, since 2016’s coup attempt more than 1500 lawyers have been prosecuted and 605 lawyers arrested (remanded to pretrial detention). So far, 441 lawyers have been sentenced to a total of 2728 years in prison on the grounds of membership of an armed terrorism organization or of spreading terrorist propaganda.
Report also shows, 14 of the persecuted lawyers are presidents (or former presidents) of their respective provincial bar associations. Report presents that all of the persecuted lawyers are being charged with terror-linked offenses; the two main accusations imputed to them are membership of an armed terrorist organisation, and forming and leading an armed terrorist organisation.
Categories: Unjust / Wrongful Convictions