Lawyer Murat Çelik, a former member of the Istanbul Bar Association Executive Board and one of the former presidents of ÇHD, was subjected to torture and detained with reverse handcuffing at Galatasaray Square on 8 July 2023, when he went there to attend the weekly gathering of the Saturday Mothers/People.
A criminal case was subsequently initiated against the police officers responsible for torture. The first hearing of the trial took place on 9 October 2025, with broad and effective participation from our colleagues, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), bar associations, and various legal organizations including ÇHD.
However, at this first hearing the defendants did not attend the court and instead submitted written excuses.
In the next hearing—held on 18 February 2026—it was expected that some of the defendants would attend, and the hearing was particularly important as it concerned the questioning of the accused. The case has attracted significant public and media attention, as it concerns an open incident of torture occurring during the continued restrictions imposed on the gatherings of the Saturday Mothers/People, despite decisions of the Constitutional Court recognizing the unlawfulness of those restrictions.
In our view, this case has the characteristics of a symbolic trial for the legal profession, bar associations, and the broader struggle for rights in Turkey, particularly with regard to:
- the prohibition of torture,
- freedom of assembly and expression, and
- the immunity and independence of the legal profession.
Developments reflected in the case file between the hearings include the following:
- Documents regarding the requested disciplinary proceedings have been submitted to the file. It has been reported that no disciplinary investigation was initiated against the police officers involved.
- As of 2026, the court has been renamed the 76th Criminal Court of First Instance, and the case file number is now 2026/422. There has been no change in the presiding judge.
- The next hearing has been scheduled for 26 June 2026.
It is also notable that 26 June is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, which gives the hearing an additional symbolic significance. Given both the symbolic significance of the hearing date and the documented torture suffered by our colleague, we consider participation in this hearing and the organization of strong international solidarity to be of utmost importance.
Please let us know whether you are available to attend this court hearing so that we can make the necessary organisational arrangements in good time.