DENİZ TEKİN
Lawyer Necat Çiçek, already on trial for alleged membership in a terrorist organization, is now facing additional charges based on visits to a high-security prison to investigate human rights violations. The new indictment, relying on testimony from a cooperating witness, has been merged with the ongoing case against him at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court.
The third hearing in the trial saw the participation of numerous legal and human rights organizations, including the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Diyarbakır Bar Association, and representatives from the Paris Bar Association.
New indictment alleges prison visits as evidence
The court announced that the new indictment accused Çiçek of meeting with two detainees at the Dumlu No. 1 High-Security Prison, framing the visits as evidence of organizational ties. These visits were part of Çiçek’s work as a member of the Diyarbakır Bar Association’s Prison Commission and ÖHD.
Çiçek defends actions as lawful human rights work
In his defense, Çiçek emphasized that his prison visits were routine and lawful, conducted in response to inmate applications to document and address human rights violations. "These visits aim to identify and report rights violations, sharing findings with the public," Çiçek said, rejecting the charges as baseless.
Defense and rights groups criticize criminalization of advocacy
Çiçek’s lawyer, Mehdi Özdemir, argued that the visits were within the scope of legal advocacy and human rights defense. He called for the lifting of Çiçek’s travel ban, which remains in effect.
Ekin Yeter, co-chair of ÖHD, condemned the merged indictment, calling it an effort to criminalize human rights advocacy.
Court decisions and next steps
The prosecutor requested that witnesses be heard and additional evidence be collected. The court ruled to:
- Have witnesses testify via video conferencing (SEGBIS) at the next hearing.
- Maintain the travel ban on Çiçek.
- Reject the return of a confiscated poetry book seized during the investigation.
The trial was adjourned to April 15, 2025, for further proceedings.
Context
The charges against Çiçek have sparked criticism from legal and rights groups, who argue they represent a broader trend of targeting lawyers and human rights defenders in Turkey. The presence of international observers highlights the case’s significance for freedom of advocacy and the rule of law.
