Lawyer parts ways with client due to 'pressure' ahead of Leyla Aydemir trial

A notable development has occurred in the Leyla Aydemir case, which is closely followed by the public in Ağrı. With only days remaining until the April 10 hearing, where the case will be retried, it has been stated that the mother, Şükran Aydemir, has parted ways with her lawyer, Erdoğan Tunç, and will not grant power of attorney to another lawyer.

In his statement, lawyer Erdoğan Tunç noted that he had made significant efforts since the beginning of the case to ensure the judicial process proceeded effectively and stated that he had submitted important evidence to the file. Tunç recalled that, based on this evidence, the Court of Cassation issued a reversal decision, and the case began to be retried. Explaining that a new investigation process was initiated following the reversal decision and that much new evidence was obtained within this scope, Tunç stated that the defendant, Yusuf Aydemir, was arrested at the hearing held on January 16, 2026.

"AS PROGRESS WAS MADE IN THE CASE, PRESSURE FROM THE FAMILY AND THE DEFENDANT'S RELATIVES INCREASED"

Stating that he was dismissed at a time when significant progress was being made in the case, Tunç alleged that there was pressure behind this decision.

Tunç stated, "I have followed the murder case of Leyla Aydemir, who left a mark on the memory of the entire society with her blue eyes, for years. Based on the special power of attorney given to me by the mother, Şükran Aydemir, I made maximum efforts to ensure that the judicial process functioned completely and effectively. I submitted the evidence I obtained with great difficulty to the file to prevent this case from remaining an unsolved murder.

Thanks to the evidence I submitted to the file, a reversal decision was issued by the Court of Cassation. Following the reversal decision, the case began to be retried. Not content with that, I ensured that a new investigation was opened to prevent the defendants from being acquitted again. Thanks to this investigation, much new evidence was obtained. After all this, at the hearing on January 16, 2026, it was decided to arrest one of the defendants, Yusuf Aydemir, and the case is still ongoing.

Unable to withstand the pressure from the family, relatives, and the defendant's kin, who were uncomfortable with the progress of the case, Şükran Aydemir terminated our power of attorney relationship through a notice of dismissal. In accordance with legal regulations, I no longer have the authority to follow the case. I submit this to the public's information."

The court had issued an arrest warrant for Yusuf Aydemir on the grounds of strong suspicion of the crime of "murder" and the possibility of flight. At the hearing on January 16, the case was adjourned to April 10.