Tensions rise at Çağlayan Courthouse: Police block lawyers' 'defense' march
Hundreds of lawyers gathered at the Çağlayan Courthouse to protest the arrest of Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer for Ekrem İmamoğlu. The demonstration, which began with chants of Rights, law, justice, was met with police intervention.
12punto
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Reactions are growing following the arrest of Mehmet Pehlivan, the lawyer for the Republican People's Party's imprisoned presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, on March 23.
Lawyers gathered to stand against the decision regarding Pehlivan and to "defend the defense" by marching from Çağlayan to the Istanbul Bar Association building in Taksim. Hundreds of lawyers assembled at the courthouse and protested the decision with chants of "Rights, law, justice."
??Lawyers react sharply to the police announcement that "Your action is illegal":
— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) June 23, 2025
- "Are we going to learn the law from you?" pic.twitter.com/G9kAowCx9m
PRESS STATEMENT AND BALLOON PROTEST
Following the protest inside the courthouse, the lawyers moved to the front of the building to hold a press conference. Istanbul Bar Association President Prof. Dr. İbrahim Kaboğlu gave the first speech on behalf of bar representatives from various cities across Turkey. While Kaboğlu shared his assessments regarding Pehlivan's arrest, the lawyers held signs reading "Freedom for Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan."
Ankara Bar Association President Erinç Sağkan, who took the microphone after Kaboğlu, announced to the public that a formal appeal had been filed against the arrest decision for Pehlivan. After Sağkan's speech, black balloons symbolizing injustice were released into the sky.
POLICE BLOCK THE MARCH
The lawyers' plan to march from Çağlayan to Taksim was blocked by police. Law enforcement did not allow the lawyers to proceed immediately after the press statement. During this time, a brief dialogue took place between Erinç Sağkan and the police. Reacting to the police blockade, the lawyers responded with chants of "Davut Gül resign," "Article 34 of the Constitution: marching is a right."
The crowd reached the police barricade and demanded its removal, chanting slogans in defense of their right to march. A brief period of tension and pushing occurred between security forces and the lawyers.
DECISION FOR A SIT-IN
Following the escalation of tension, an announcement was made via megaphone calling on the protesting lawyers to return to the courthouse building and hold a sit-in in front of the statue. Most of the lawyers complied with this call, entered the building, and began the sit-in.