Sibel Yükler
Proceedings have restarted in a case seeking the dismissal of the previous Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), after Turkey’s Court of Cassation overturned a 2023 ruling that had ordered their removal. The trial was adjourned to April 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
The case dates back to October 2022, when TTB Central Council Chair Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı came under government scrutiny after saying allegations that the Turkish Armed Forces used chemical weapons during operations in northern Iraq should be investigated. She was arrested on Oct. 26, 2022, on charges of “terrorist propaganda.” Within 14 days, the same prosecutor filed an indictment seeking the dismissal of the TTB Central Council, arguing the association had acted “outside its founding purpose.”
The case, heard at the Ankara 31st Civil Court of First Instance, was shaped from the outset by procedural objections. TTB lawyers raised concerns about the court’s impartiality and filed a motion for recusal, which was rejected and appealed. In February 2023, proceedings were further delayed due to a major earthquake in southern Turkey; some council members lived in the affected region while others were engaged in relief efforts.
After seven hearings, the court ruled on Nov. 30, 2023, to dismiss the TTB Central Council members and appointed a five-person committee to oversee new elections. However, because the decision was under appeal, it did not become final and the existing leadership remained in office. Fincancı described the ruling as political.
In a parallel criminal case, Fincancı was sentenced in January 2023 to 2 years, 8 months and 15 days in prison and was later released; the sentence was subsequently upheld on appeal.
In June 2025, the 3rd Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation overturned the dismissal ruling on procedural grounds. It found violations of the right to a fair hearing, citing the plaintiff prosecutor’s failure to attend hearings, incorrect identification of parties, and the fact that council members had not been heard.
At the most recent hearing on Feb. 3, 2026, observers included TTB Central Council Secretary-General Dr. Önder Okay, council member Dr. Ali Karakoç, Istanbul Bar Association Vice President Attorney Rukiye Leyla Süren, and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Chair Dr. Metin Bakkalcı.
The local court ruled to comply with the Court of Cassation’s decision to overturn. Notably, despite the higher court’s finding that continuing proceedings in the absence of the prosecutor was unlawful, the prosecutor—who is the plaintiff in the case—again did not attend the hearing. A request to remove the file from procedural consideration was rejected by the court.
The court also ruled to allow former TTB Central Council members to join the case as intervening parties and granted time to the prosecutor’s office to correct the identification of parties.
The next hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
