Reaction from Istanbul Bar Association to the Referral of Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan

In the statement made by the Istanbul Bar Association, they reacted to the transfer of detained lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan from Çorlu to Kandıra F Type Prison at 03:00 at night without informing his family and lawyers, and stated that the practice was a "violation of the prohibition of torture".

In the written statement made by the Istanbul Bar Association, the following was noted:

"Mehmet Pehlivan's transfer to Kandıra is a violation of the prohibition of torture. Our member, Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, who was on trial in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality case based on allegations derived from his professional activities, was transferred from Çorlu High Security Prison to Kandıra F Type Prison at around 03:00 at night, without informing his family and lawyers. The sending of our colleague, whose hearings are ongoing in Silivri, hundreds of kilometers away from where he is on trial is a situation that will turn his participation in the hearings into torture. "This practice, which obviously makes it difficult for him to prepare for his defense and communicate effectively with his lawyers, is unacceptable."

"The MINISTRY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY EXPLAIN THE REASONS"

The statement stated that detention does not mean deprivation of rights and said:

"Article 17 of the Constitution prohibits torture, torment and treatment incompatible with human dignity. The material and moral integrity of the person and the presumption of innocence are guarantees that must be protected even in cases of war and mobilization in accordance with Article 15 of the Constitution. Every operation of the prison administration must comply with these guarantees.

Making legal activities the subject of accusations targets the independence of the defense; The fact that it is difficult for a detained lawyer to prepare his own defense aggravates this intervention. The Ministry of Justice must immediately explain the reason for the transfer, why it was carried out at night, and why his family and lawyers were not informed. As Istanbul Bar Association, our member Atty. We demand that this torture against Mehmet Pehlivan be stopped and that he be immediately transferred to the penal institution in Silivri, where his hearings are held. "We will follow our colleague's rights and the process."