Bar Association Presidents' decision on İmamoğlu: Extraordinary meeting in Istanbul

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) has decided to hold an "Extraordinary Meeting of Bar Association Presidents" in Istanbul following the detention of IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his colleagues. 

In a statement released by the TBB, it was noted: "The assessments to be made will be shared with the public. We will continue to defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and human rights and freedoms under all circumstances." 

The full statement from the TBB is as follows: 

"The manner in which the events unfolded, the expressions used in the Chief Public Prosecutor's statement, the restrictions placed on metro services, the blocking of access to certain streets and avenues, the imposition of a ban on meetings, and the implementation of a ban on meetings with lawyers for those detained increase concerns regarding violations of the law.

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations has repeatedly drawn attention to violations of legal security, practices where the judiciary is instrumentalized, and the dangers this situation will create. The recent developments are also being followed with sensitivity from the very first moment.

In this context, it has been decided by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations to hold an Extraordinary Meeting of Bar Association Presidents in Istanbul on Thursday, March 20, 2025 (tomorrow), to evaluate both the recent processes and the ongoing case against the president and management of the Istanbul Bar Association. The assessments to be made will be shared with the public. We will continue to defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and human rights and freedoms under all circumstances."