July 3, 2024
Hayri Demir
Forty-two individuals who were tried for participating in the second Ankara Pride March in July 2022, which was disrupted by police, have been acquitted of all charges. The defendants faced accusations of violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations (Law No. 2911) and resisting law enforcement.
The sixth hearing of the trial took place at the Ankara 52nd Criminal Court of First Instance, attended by the defendants' lawyers and observed by representatives from Kaos GL, the Human Rights Association (IHD) Ankara Branch, the IHD Ankara LGBTI+ Commission, and ÜniKuir.
The prosecutor recommended acquittal for all 42 individuals, aligning with the defense's request. After a brief recess, the judge ruled in favor of acquittal, clearing all defendants of the charges.
The trial stemmed from the July 2022 event, where participants were reportedly beaten and detained by police while attempting to hold the second Ankara Pride March.
