Lawyer Gurbet Özbey Öner’s trial adjourned for prosecutor’s opinion
The trial of lawyer and human rights defender Gurbet Özbey Öner, accused of "membership in a terrorist organization" based on her professional activities, has been adjourned to October 3 for the prosecutor to prepare the final opinion. Öner was initially detained and later released following the testimony of confessing witness Ümit Akbıyık, who is seeking leniency under Turkey's "effective remorse" law.
The second hearing was held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court, with Öner and her lawyers present. Representatives from the Diyarbakır Bar Association, the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), along with many lawyers, attended in support.
During the hearing, witness Ümit Akbıyık testified via video link, claiming that Öner was a member of İHD and that he had learned about her activities through her spouse. However, Akbıyık admitted to having no direct knowledge of Öner’s involvement in organizational activities and said she did not use a code name. In response, Öner stated she had never met Akbıyık and dismissed his claims as false, calling them "copy-paste" statements.
Öner’s lawyer, Abdullah Zeytun, argued that her legal and human rights defense work was being criminalized through the trial and criticized the judiciary for facilitating this. He emphasized that professional legal activities were the subject of the trial, and the Ministry of Justice should have reviewed the case to determine whether an investigation was warranted. Zeytun called for an immediate acquittal, arguing that lawyers should not be associated with their clients’ actions.
Lawyer Mehdi Özdemir pointed out that many lawyers face similar baseless accusations, framing their professional work as "organizational activities," which he said creates a judicial threat against legal professionals. He also requested the removal of the travel ban imposed on Öner. Lawyer Muhlis Oğurgül added that only legal activities were being prosecuted, calling the case shameful and urging for acquittal.
After the defense statements, the court ruled that the travel ban on Öner would be considered at the final judgment. The case was adjourned to October 3, 2024, for the prosecutor to prepare the final opinion.
