Istanbul Bar Association President and members provide testimony

Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and members of the Board of Directors provided testimony at the Çağlayan Courthouse as part of an investigation launched against them.

The Istanbul Bar Association had previously issued a statement regarding journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan, who lost their lives.

An investigation was launched into Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and members of the Board of Directors due to the aforementioned statement.

Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) President Erinç Sağkan, along with numerous bar association presidents and board members from various provinces, met at the courthouse to show their support for the Istanbul Bar Association.

Speaking at the courthouse, Erinç Sağkan stated that they were there to defend the legal profession alongside the Istanbul Bar Association against an investigation that he described as unlawful and restrictive of freedom of expression, saying:

"Just as we defend freedom of the press and the right of media workers to report news, and the right of citizens to receive information, we are not actually here today just to defend the Istanbul Bar Association. While defending the Istanbul Bar Association, we are also here to defend the most fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen living in this land. The Istanbul Bar Association has been doing this for 147 years. It defends the fundamental rights and freedoms of every one of our citizens. It defends the founding values of the Republic. It defends secularism, democracy, and the rule of law. Today, that voice is being silenced. That is why we are here. While defending the Istanbul Bar Association, we are here to defend the fundamental rights and freedoms of 85 million people. Such investigations against the Istanbul Bar Association have been attempted many times before. Neither the Istanbul Bar Association, nor any of our bar associations, nor our 190 thousand lawyers will be intimidated or frightened by such attempts. During the time of coup plotters, attempts were made to seal the doors of the Istanbul Bar Association. Attempts were made to put the administrators of the Istanbul Bar Association on trial. However, we all see today who has been condemned in the eyes of history. We will all see together who will be condemned in the eyes of history as a result of the investigation being conducted today. For 147 years, this bar association has not remained silent, has not been intimidated, and has not been afraid. Neither our Istanbul Bar Association, nor any of our bar associations, nor the Union of Turkish Bar Associations will be intimidated or frightened by such investigations; they will continue to defend courage, rights, law, and justice."

News Source: 12punto