A criminal complaint from Turkey’s opposition party alleges Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek engaged in extensive corruption, including illicit enrichment and conflicts of interest, raising significant concerns about judicial integrity and accountability in Turkey’s legal system.
Turkey Human Rights Blog
How Turkey’s Legal Guardianship System Turned Against Its Most Vulnerable
The guardianship scandal at the Anatolian Courthouse in Istanbul revealed yet another instance of major judicial corruption. The systematic exploitation of vulnerable citizens, particularly the elderly, suggests collusion among judges and lawyers. Investigations have highlighted systemic failures, inadequate oversight, and a disregard for early warning signs.
Disappeared, Tortured, Ignored: The Story of Zabit Kişi
Zabit Kişi, a Turkish teacher, faced enforced disappearance and torture by Turkish intelligence after seeking safety abroad post-2016 coup attempt. Detained unlawfully for 108 days, he endured severe brutality. Despite his testimonies and the Turkish Constitutional Court’s recognition of procedural violations, substantive accountability for his torture remains unaddressed, revealing systemic injustices.
İstanbul Bar Association Leadership Removed in Politically Charged Court Ruling
March 21, 2025 | İstanbul – In a decision widely condemned as politically motivated, the İstanbul 2nd Civil Court of First Instance has removed the entire executive board of the İstanbul Bar Association, including its president, constitutional law scholar Prof…. Read More ›
The UN experts raises alarm over persecution of Gülenists by Turkey
The Turkish government’s crackdown on alleged Gülen Movement affiliates has drawn severe criticism from international human rights experts. Accusations include mass arrests, torture, and transnational abductions. A UN letter highlights systematic abuses and calls for judicial reforms, underscoring concerns over eroding freedoms and the dangerous conflation of dissent with terrorism.
Turkish court ignores landmark ECHR ruling in retrial
In a significant development, the Kayseri 2nd Assize Court has reaffirmed the conviction of Mr. Yüksel Yalçınkaya, defying a previous ruling by the ECHR. This decision comes despite the Grand Chamber’s judgment, which found that Türkiye had violated Articles 6, 7, and 11 of the European Convention.