Rabia Çetin
The trial of lawyer Seda Şaraldı, a member of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), has been postponed once more after the 20th hearing was held at the 32nd High Criminal Court of Istanbul. Şaraldı and 11 others are being prosecuted on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization,” largely based on their professional legal activities.
Şaraldı was arrested on Feb. 9, 2024, and released on Feb. 20, 2025, under judicial control, including a travel ban. She was present at Thursday’s hearing, along with co-defendant Hasan Karapınar, who remains in pretrial detention, and their lawyers.
Following identity verification, the court heard from four secret witnesses identified as Pembe Özlem Olgun, Mehmet Manas Doğanay, Neslihan Albayrak, and Bayram Güleç. After the witness testimony, Hasan Karapınar presented his defense statement.
When given the opportunity to speak, Seda Şaraldı stated that she had no remarks at this stage of the proceedings. Her lawyers also indicated they had no requests at this point.
After a brief recess for deliberation, the court ruled to maintain the travel ban imposed as a judicial control measure on the defendants. It also decided to discontinue further examination of secret witnesses. The next hearing was scheduled for April 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.
