Turkish lawyer Naim Eminoğlu was detained following a police raid on his office, accused of Gulen Movement membership without concrete evidence. His arrest, criticized by international legal groups, signals ongoing persecution of lawyers in Turkey, raising concerns over legal rights.
The Ankara Regional Court of Appeal and the Court of Cassation upheld the convictions of 12 lawyers, totaling over 80 years in prison, defying the European Court of Human Rights’ Yalcinkaya ruling. Turkey’s judiciary shows significant disregard for international law and judicial independence, raising concerns over human rights enforcement in the country.
Ruhi Hallaçoğlu, a Turkish lawyer, became a victim of state oppression following the 2016 coup attempt. He was detained for years under inhumane conditions, with even his legal consultations monitored, yet he continued to fight from his prison cell. He won three cases before the European Court of Human Rights, vindicating his struggle, which should symbolize defiance against the unchecked power of the state.
Turkish lawyer Burak Saldıroğlu remains in detention for nearly a month on charges of insulting President Erdoğan after sharing political content. His arrest has raised concerns over judicial independence, freedom of expression, and excessive political influence, in light of growing prosecutions under controversial laws.
Istanbul lawyer Fırat Epözdemir, a member of the Istanbul Bar Association’s Board of Directors, has been detained over pro-Kurdish and human rights activism.
The United Nations condemns Turkey for misusing counterterrorism laws to imprison lawyers and activists, highlighting the case of Turan Canpolat as emblematic of judicial independence erosion. Following the failed 2016 coup, Turkey’s government has increasingly targeted legal professionals, prompting international outcry for accountability and adherence to human rights standards.