In a case against seven lawyers known for their involvement with the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), a Turkish prosecutor has requested both conviction and acquittal for different charges related to their attempt to launch wish lanterns in a gesture of solidarity with hunger-striking imprisoned colleagues. The 11th hearing of the trial took place at the Istanbul 46th Criminal Court of First Instance.
These lawyers were detained on Feb. 22, 2019, in Beşiktaş, a district on the European side of Istanbul, while trying to draw attention to their colleagues on a hunger strike in prison. They face charges of "non-compliance with dispersal orders during an unlawful assembly and march" and "resisting to prevent an officer from performing their duty."
Among the defendants, lawyer Gökmen Yeşil was present in the courtroom, while Seda Şaraldı, another lawyer and member of the ÇHD, joined the hearing via video link from prison where she is detained on a separate case.
In the prosecutor's final opinion, presented on Nov. 7, 2023, they reiterated the request for the defendants to be convicted for failing to disperse despite warnings in an unlawful gathering, but sought acquittals for the charge of resisting officers.
Lawyer Şaraldı, addressing her recent detention and lack of access to case documents, stated, "You are about to make a decision, but I was only informed yesterday evening about today's hearing." The judge responded, noting the heavy caseload and the time elapsed since the prosecutor's opinion, but offered to grant additional time for defense preparation.
Expressing her inability to defend without access to case files, Şaraldı requested time to prepare her defense. Lawyer Naim Eminoğlu, highlighting gaps in the case file, also asked for time for Şaraldı to prepare.
The court accepted the request for additional time and adjourned the hearing to Oct. 17, 2024.
