Deniz Tekin
The trial of lawyer Adile Salman, who is facing charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” based on her professional legal activities and the testimony of a cooperating witness, was postponed once again Thursday due to procedural shortcomings. The fifth hearing in the case was held at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court, located in southeastern Turkey. Salman did not attend the session, but her legal team was present.
During the hearing, the prosecutor submitted his opinion on the merits of the case, requesting the continuation of the international travel ban imposed on Salman and that the court inquire about the status of another open investigation file against her.
Salman’s lawyers, in turn, asked the court to address the procedural deficiencies in the case file and lift the travel ban on their client.
The court ruled in line with the prosecutor’s request, deciding to maintain the judicial control measures against Salman and to seek information from the prosecutor's office on the status of the related investigation. The next hearing was scheduled for Oct. 9, 2025.
Salman was initially detained on April 25 based on the statements of Ümit Akbıyık, a witness who cooperated with authorities. She was later released under judicial supervision. The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against her, seeking a prison sentence of between 7.5 and 15 years.
According to the indictment, Salman’s phone conversations with colleagues, her membership in the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), and her legal representation of individuals in police custody were cited as evidence of criminal activity.
