Izmir Bar Association reacts to violence: 'The face of fascism has been revealed'

The Izmir Bar Association has condemned the use of disproportionate force by police during protests held across the country following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Bar stated that during the intervention in Izmir, numerous citizens, including a disabled lawyer, were injured and their colleagues were assaulted.

Unlawful Interventions and Violence Against Citizens and Our Colleagues Are Unacceptable

Following the unlawful detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, many of our citizens were injured during demonstrations held across the country as police carried out unlawful orders and... pic.twitter.com/KwRLZhranY

— İzmir Barosu - #SavunmaSusturulamaz (@izmir_barosu) March 21, 2025

The statement released on the Bar's X social media account included the following remarks:

Following the unlawful detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, many of our citizens were injured during demonstrations held across the country as a result of police carrying out unlawful orders and abusing their authority.

During the intervention in Izmir yesterday, many of our citizens, including our colleagues, were injured as a result of the unlawful police intervention.

Among those injured during the intervention at Middle East Technical University the previous day was our visually impaired colleague, Attorney Erkan Yıldız. Our colleague was assaulted by police, his cane was broken, and he sustained injuries to his face. This incident is not merely an individual rights violation; it is a clear attack on the legal profession, the dignity of disabled individuals, and human rights.

This violence against a disabled lawyer, which recognizes no boundaries or the Constitution, is absolutely unacceptable in terms of both professional ethics and the principles of the rule of law. When the disproportionate and indiscriminate intervention of law enforcement targets the most vulnerable segments of society, this situation creates an even heavier responsibility.

Furthermore, during the demonstration in Izmir yesterday, one of our former Izmir Bar Association presidents, Attorney Özkan Yücel, was injured in the eye as a result of police intervention and was subjected to heavy tear gas and water cannon attacks. On the same night, two of our colleagues, Attorney Firdevs Avşar and Attorney Nihat Arman Atılgan, were also severely beaten as a result of police attacks! This attack carried out against our colleagues and our former president has once again revealed the face of fascism! Those responsible must be brought to justice!

News Source: 12punto