Deniz Tekin
A court in Diyarbakır has decided to wait for the outcome of a separate ongoing investigation before proceeding further in the trial of lawyer Adile Salman, who is being prosecuted for her professional legal activities. The court also rejected a request to lift her international travel ban.
Salman, who did not attend the hearing held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court, was represented by her lawyer, Servet Özen. Özen asked the court to request the status of a separate open investigation being conducted by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and to lift the travel ban imposed on his client.
The prosecution requested that deficiencies in the case file be addressed before proceeding.
The court ruled to wait for the outcome of the investigation file concerning Salman and rejected the request to remove the travel ban. The next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2026.
Background: Why Salman is on trial
Adile Salman was detained on April 25 based on statements from Ümit Akbıyık, a witness who turned state’s evidence. She was later released under judicial control measures, including a travel ban.
The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against her, seeking a prison sentence ranging from 7.5 to 15 years on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization.”
According to the indictment, the evidence cited against Salman includes phone calls with fellow lawyers, her membership in the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and her legal representation of individuals in police custody—all standard components of legal defense work.
