Breaking News: Interim ruling in the Ayşe Barım case!

Talent manager Ayşe Barım, who was arrested on charges of 'attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from performing its duties' as part of the Gezi Park investigation—which was reopened years later following allegations of monopolization in the sector—is appearing before a judge for the first time.

The hearing for Barım, who is alleged to have organized artists during the Gezi Park protests, directed public opinion through the media, and contributed to the organization of the protests, is being held at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court.

Before the hearing, many figures, most notably Birce Akalay, Hakan Kurtaş, Bergüzar Korel, Halit Ergenç, İbrahim Selim, Serenay Sarıkaya, Ezgi Mola, Metin Akdülger, Birkan Sokullu, and Hande Erçel, came to the courthouse to support Barım.

AYŞE BARIM'S DEFENSE

Ayşe Barım, who was brought into the courtroom at 11:08, began her defense at 11:15. Denying the accusations against her, Barım stated, "I do not understand how I supported the overthrow of the state. 10 police officers came to my house, and I was taken into custody. I was arrested. I have been in Silivri for 169 days. The indictment was prepared on the 92nd day."

As reported by Cumhuriyet, Barım made the following statements in her defense:

“All the allegations against me are baseless. An indictment was prepared against me following a perception campaign created on social media. I have been a talent manager for 23 years. In January, a smear campaign was launched against me on social media. These allegations were first put forward through a young actor I represent, claiming that I was earning money in an immoral way. Then, baseless accusations were made, such as that I was a monopolist.

The slanders did not stop; accusations were fabricated, such as that I directed my actors through the Gezi Park protests. While I was seeking my legal rights, police came to my house one morning, and my home and workplace were searched. After being held in custody for 3 days, I was taken to court in the early hours of the morning and arrested. Many investigations and indictments have been prepared regarding Gezi Park to date, and my name is not mentioned in any of them. I do not understand how such a grave slander can be leveled against me.”

“THE ACTORS MENTIONED IN THE INDICTMENT WERE NOT WORKING WITH ME IN 2013”

Pointing out the historical inconsistencies in the indictment and the grounds for the accusations against her, Barım continued:

“The actors mentioned in the indictment are actors who were working with me in 2025. However, the Gezi Park events took place in 2013. I have no relationship with any of the actors mentioned in the indictment regarding the Gezi Park protests at that time. I only went to Gezi Park once during that period. The only photo in the indictment belongs to that day. That day, 12 people working under me decided to go to Gezi Park of their own volition. They already announced this on social media themselves. When the actors left the set and went to Gezi Park, I went there to be with them after being called by the set or one of the actors. The photo in question is a frame taken that day. Moreover, there were many famous actors in Gezi Park that day, and those actors were not working with me at that time.”

Barım's defense ended around 12:00.

“MY RIGHT TO LIFE IS BEING TAKEN AWAY”

At the end of her defense, Barım drew attention to being targeted in the public eye and her health condition in prison, saying:

“I rebel against my reputation being trampled upon in this way. There is no evidence or criminal element against me. The evidence in my favor has been added to the file.”

Emphasizing that she has been in custody for 162 days, Barım drew attention to her health problems and stated:

“I have been in prison for 162 days. 6 new illnesses have emerged in my heart. I have been referred to the hospital 12 times. I want my right to health. I want to get out of prison and have my surgeries.”

At the end of her words, emphasizing her right to life, Barım addressed the court panel as follows:

“My right to life is being taken away from me. I want my honor, my reputation, and my right to life back.”

PROSECUTOR REQUESTED CONTINUATION OF DETENTION

Following Barım's defense, the court panel took a one-hour recess. The prosecutor of the hearing requested that the decision be made for the continuation of Barım's detention.

The interim decision was announced in court. It was decided that Ayşe Barım will remain in custody. The second hearing will be held on October 1.

SHE HAD HEALTH PROBLEMS

Ayşe Barım, who has a total of 9 serious heart and brain-related illnesses, is struggling with life-threatening health problems in prison. Barım, who has fallen ill many times in the last six months due to her health condition, fainted in her cell once again in recent weeks.

Her lawyers applied to the court on May 20 and 30 for her release, considering the vital risk to their client. However, both applications were rejected. After a new fainting incident on June 5, the lawyers applied to the court again on June 11, this time citing the “risk of sudden death.” However, the court did not accept this request either.

The court decided to refer Ayşe Barım to Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital for a detailed examination of her health condition. In the report dated July 2, prepared by a panel of 9 expert physicians, it was clearly stated that Barım's remaining in prison poses a serious threat to her life. According to the report, there is a risk of sudden death if a permanent pacemaker is not implanted in Barım. In addition, it was stated that despite two stents previously placed in her brain, a new aneurysm has formed, and if this bubble bursts, complications that could result in brain hemorrhage, paralysis, or death could develop. The report also noted that it is currently impossible to intervene due to the location of the aneurysm in question.

Barım's lawyers added the health board report to the file and requested her release again. The lawyers, who wanted the release decision to be made without waiting for the Forensic Medicine Institute report, stated that otherwise, the responsibility for possible vital consequences would lie with the prison administration and judicial bodies.

News Source: 12punto