Police intervention against lawyers at Çağlayan Courthouse: They were not allowed inside
The Istanbul Bar Association called on 'all legal professionals' to gather at the courthouse to defend democracy. It was reported that police intervened against lawyers who gathered at Çağlayan Courthouse ahead of the testimony process for 91 people, including CHP presidential candidate hopeful and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
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Following the transfer of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to Çağlayan Courthouse, lawyers who gathered in front of the courthouse are not being allowed into the building. Lawyers affiliated with the Istanbul Bar Association attempted to enter the courthouse but were blocked by authorities. Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) President Erinç Sağkan and Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu held a meeting with the Chief Public Prosecutor to allow the lawyers to enter the building.
The lawyers, who were not allowed into the courthouse, chanted slogans to protest the situation. Police set up a barricade in front of Gate C, preventing the lawyers from entering the building. The security chief stated that the lawyers were not being allowed inside in accordance with instructions from the prosecutor's office. The lawyers reacted, stating, "It is unacceptable that we are not allowed to enter the courthouse. This is our workspace."
Among the journalists waiting around Çağlayan Courthouse, only those with turquoise press cards were able to enter the building. Other journalists were forced to wait in front of the courthouse. While there is tension at the scene, reactions against the lawyers not being allowed into the building continue.
CALL FROM THE ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION
It was stated that the entry of lawyers into the building at Çağlayan Courthouse, where İmamoğlu is scheduled to give his statement at 19:30, has been restricted. The Istanbul Bar Association reacted to the practice, emphasizing that they would be at the courthouse at 19:00 for İmamoğlu and all citizens.
In the statement made by the Istanbul Bar Association, it was claimed that the right to defense was being violated, and the following expressions were used:
''The extraordinary measures around the Istanbul Courthouse and the prevention of lawyers from entering the courthouse are a clear violation of the right to defense. We never accept this restriction.
As the Istanbul Bar Association administration, under these extraordinary conditions, we will be at the courthouse at 19:00 for all citizens in custody, including our city's elected Mayor.''