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In a significant legal victory, a Turkish court has acquitted Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and 10 executive board members of terrorism-related charges that could have resulted in up to 12 years imprisonment. The Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court delivered the verdict Friday during a hearing at the Marmara Prison complex in Silivri, west of Istanbul.
The case stemmed from a December 21, 2024 statement by the Istanbul Bar Association calling for an investigation into the deaths of journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin in northern Syria. The statement also demanded the release of journalists and lawyers detained during a peaceful protest in Istanbul the previous day.
Daştan and Bilgin were killed on December 19, 2024, when their vehicle was struck near the Tishrin Dam in northern Syria. The journalists had been covering clashes between Turkey-backed forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition backed by the United States. Turkey classifies the SDF as a terrorist organization, claiming it has direct links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a Turkish drone had carried out the strike, Turkish authorities maintained that the victims were not legitimate journalists but members of a terrorist organization. This conflicting narrative formed the core of the prosecution’s case.
Prosecutors alleged that by referring to Daştan and Bilgin as journalists and describing their deaths as killings, the Bar Association had engaged in terrorist propaganda and misrepresented state counterterrorism operations. The charges were brought under Article 7/2 of Turkey’s Anti-Terror Law, with prosecutors also citing the offense of publicly spreading misleading information.
In their defense, Kaboğlu and the board members argued they had acted within their legal mandate and exercised institutional freedom of expression on matters of public interest, particularly regarding the protection of journalists and lawyers. The court ultimately found that the case failed to meet the legal threshold for conviction.
Friday’s hearing drew significant international attention, with observers from more than 30 bar associations representing lawyers from 83 countries in attendance, alongside representatives from 17 international legal organizations. The courtroom erupted in applause from lawyers present when the verdict was announced.
Speaking after the ruling, Kaboğlu connected the case to broader concerns about judicial independence in Turkey and pledged to continue working to uphold the rule of law and human rights.
Despite this criminal acquittal, the Bar Association officials still face challenges on another front. A separate civil case based on the same statement resulted in a March 2025 order for the dismissal of Kaboğlu and the elected executive board. The civil court ruled they had acted outside the bar’s mandate – a decision the Union of Turkish Bar Associations condemned as unconstitutional and politically motivated. That ruling remains under appeal.
The prosecution of the Istanbul Bar Association leaders had drawn widespread international criticism. Amnesty International and dozens of legal organizations had called on Turkish authorities to drop what they described as baseless charges, warning that Turkey’s anti-terror laws were being weaponized to criminalize legitimate expression and professional duties.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in Turkey regarding press freedom, legal independence, and the application of anti-terrorism laws. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concerns about Turkey’s broad definition of terrorism and its use to suppress dissent and limit freedom of expression, particularly regarding coverage of Kurdish issues and military operations.
The acquittal represents a rare victory for professional associations in Turkey that have faced increasing pressure in recent years, though the parallel civil proceedings indicate that challenges to their independence remain.
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9 Comments
While this is a welcome outcome, the fact that these individuals were charged in the first place is deeply troubling. Turkey must do more to safeguard the independence of the legal profession and ensure journalists can report freely without fear of reprisals.
While the acquittal is welcome news, it does little to address the systemic problems in Turkey’s justice system. The government must take concrete steps to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and ensure that civil society can operate without fear of reprisals.
The acquittal of the Istanbul Bar Association members is a positive step, but the broader crackdown on media and civil society in Turkey remains very concerning. Journalists and lawyers need to be able to advocate for transparency and accountability without facing trumped-up charges.
I agree, the broader human rights situation in Turkey is highly troubling. This case highlights the need for continued international pressure and scrutiny to protect fundamental freedoms.
This verdict seems like an important victory for press freedom and the rule of law in Turkey. Journalists should be able to report on conflicts without fear of retaliation or prosecution for terrorism-related charges. It will be interesting to see if the government appeals this decision.
The acquittal is a positive development, but the broader crackdown on civil society in Turkey remains very worrying. Journalists and lawyers should be able to do their jobs without fear of prosecution or retaliation. This case highlights the need for continued international scrutiny.
This case underscores the fragility of press freedom and rule of law in Turkey. The government’s heavy-handed response to critical reporting and activism is deeply concerning. I hope this acquittal marks a shift towards greater respect for human rights and the democratic process.
This is an encouraging outcome, but the underlying issues around media freedom and the rule of law in Turkey have not been resolved. The government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to upholding democratic norms and protecting fundamental rights.
Absolutely, the government’s track record on human rights and press freedom remains deeply troubling. Continued pressure from the international community will be crucial to pushing for meaningful reforms and accountability.