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.
In May 2024, Istanbul police arrested 40 individuals, including minors, based on questionable terrorism charges linked to the Gülen Movement. The prosecution’s claims rely on coercive statements, vague evidence of social activities, and the use of encrypted communication apps. The case exemplifies Turkey’s troubling criminalization of ordinary behaviors and political repression.