Equatorial Guinea: Free rights lawyer Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, end brutality against rights defenders

Sem categoria 08/05/2024 Leave a comment

22/02/24

CIVICUS calls on the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to immediately release Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang. The lawyer, human rights activist, and member of the civic platform Guinea Ecuatorial También Es Nuestra (Equatorial Guinea is Also Ours) has been unjustly arrested since 26th January.  

He is falsely charged with being linked to an explosion and ensuing fires that gutted many properties in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The government of Equatorial Guinea has been silencing independent and critical voices of dissent committed to defending human rights.

“The security forces brutally grabbed Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang in the middle of the night. This is another dark moment for the country. The government needs to end its decades-long track record of attacking fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of association, expression, and assembly,” said Paul Mulindwa, Advocacy and Policy Officer for CIVICUS.

Anacleto had also been previously targeted with trumped-up charges. He was arrested in September 2022 during a siege by government security forces and the military and imprisoned for 271 days. He was accused of being a part of an opposition political party after he provided food to the party members. He was again arrested in December 2023.

The repression in Equatorial Guinea is fueled using violence against human rights defenders, militarisation of the state and politics, high levels of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of human rights violations and use of restrictive legislation. An example is law No 1/1999 on the Regime of NGOs to restrict operations of civil society organisations.

“The detention of Anacleto yet again shows the ugliness of President Obiang’s regime of reckless disregard for human rights and international law. It demonstrates the absolute impunity that characterizes one of the words most corrupt dictatorships.”  Said Tutu Alicante, Director of EG Justice.

[…]

https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/6867-equatorial-guinea-free-activist-anacleto-micha-ndong-nlang-and-end-brutality-against-rights-defenders

https://www.amnesty.org/fr/documents/afr24/7794/2024/en (TAKE ACTION!)

https://amnesty.ca/urgent-actions/equatorial-guinea-jailed-human-rights-defender-at-risk-of-torture/

Human rights activist arrested in Equatorial Guinea

https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230103-spain-court-opens-probe-into-alleged-e-guinea-torture

https://www.civicus.org/index.php/es/medios-y-recursos/noticias/6868-guinea-ecuatorial-libertad-para-el-activista-anacleto-micha-ndong-y-fin-de-la-represion-contra-las-personas-defensoras-de-los-derechos-humanos (ESPANOL)

Respuesta a las declaraciones de Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang

https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/anacleto-micha-ndong-nlang-mis-reflexiones-sobre-los/id1519513461?i=1000636972204

https://www.voaafrique.com/a/guin%C3%A9e-%C3%A9quatoriale-un-activiste-des-droits-humains-arr%C3%AAt%C3%A9-organisations-/7459982.html (FRANCAIS)

Algeria: L’avocat Toufik Belala entendu par la gendarmerie sur ses publications sur Facebook

Sem categoria 08/05/2024 Leave a comment

06/05/24

L’avocat, membre du collectif de défense des détenus d’opinion, Toufik Belala a été entendu par la section de recherches de la gendarmerie nationale, de Bir Mourad Rai à Alger, au sujet de ses publications sur Facebook.

L’avocat avait été convoqué une première fois, le 24 avril, mais les services de la gendarmerie avaient refusé de l’entendre sans qu’il soit muni de son téléphone portable. L’avocat avait catégoriquement refusé de répondre à cette exigence. Il a été convoqué une seconde fois le 29 avril pour être entendu le dimanche 5 mai.

Le collectif de défense des détenus d’opinion a exprimé dans un communiqué  » une fois de plus son profond regret face à la situation misérable des droits humains dans laquelle elle trouve » et a dénoncé « la répression et les restrictions sévères contre les défenseurs des droits humain, qui se sont étendues aux membres du collectif ».

Le collectif d’avocats a également réitéré son « soutien à Toufik Belala dans la défense de ses droits qui lui sont garantis par la Constitution et les conventions internationales ratifiées par l’Algérie, et qui sont partie intégrante du droit interne au plus haut niveau, en particulier celles qui sont relatives aux devoirs de l’avocat ».

L’avocat Toufik Belala entendu par la gendarmerie sur ses publications sur Facebook

https://www.diasporadz.com/lavocat-toufik-belala-convoque-par-la-gendarmerie/

https://radio-m.net/lavocat-toufik-belala-convoque-par-la-gendarmerie

Me Toufik Belala victimes de pressions judiciaires

https://radio-m.net/affaire-toufik-belala-la-rapporteuse-de-lonu-sinquiete/

https://shoaa.org/shoaa-organization-demands-that-algerian-authorities-ensure-legal-protection-for-lawyer-toufik-belala/ (ENGLISH)

Iran: ‘I am ready to return whenever they say’: Nasrin Sotoudeh on prison, the hijab, and violence in Iran

Sem categoria 06/05/2024 Leave a comment

06/05/24

Exclusive: the human rights lawyer, temporarily released from jail on medical grounds, describes her love for her family, and why she keeps going despite brutal treatment at the hands of the regime

Iran’s Qarchak jail has been called many things: a torture chamber; the worst women’s prison in the world; unfit for humans. Nasrin Sotoudeh uses just one word to describe the nine months she spent there: “Hell.”

Sotoudeh does not speak of the appalling conditions or stench of sewage, the undrinkable water or lack of food, the disease or cruelty of solitary confinement. She simply says: “I am ready to return whenever they say.”

The lawyer and human rights advocate was three years into her sentence of 38 years, alongside 148 lashes, when it was paused on medical grounds after she was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2021.

Her temporary release means she is living at home in Tehran with her husband, Reza Khandan, and son, Nima, 16, but it has not freed her from constant government harassment. The authorities have been relentless in their efforts to silence her, bringing three new cases against her; sentencing her to a further eight years in prison; banning her from practising law and using social media; sentencing her husband to five years; freezing her bank assets; and prohibiting her daughter, Mehraveh Khandan, from leaving the country. The restriction on Khandan, 24, who is now studying art in the Netherlands, has been the only liberty infringement Sotoudeh has successfully fought.

“My family and I have faced constant legal sabotage that the judiciary system brings up against us,” says Sotoudeh, who turns 61 this month.

But it is the regime’s murderous determination to crush all dissent that pains her the most. The deaths of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, and other young women, including 16-year-old Armita Geravand, who was attacked by hijab-enforcing police on the metro, “have been the hardest thing to endure”.

Her medical leave has coincided with the government intensifying its war on women. Mass protests sparked by Amini’s death have been met with violent repression by the authorities leading to hundreds more deaths and thousands of arrests. In the past month video footage of women being forcefully bundled off the streets by the “morality police” emerged as the government ratchets up its efforts to enforce the hijab with a new campaign, named Noor (meaning light); and rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death for his support of the Women, Life, Freedom movement.

[…]

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/may/06/i-am-ready-to-return-whenever-they-say-nasrin-sotoudeh-on-prison-the-hijab-and-violence-in-iran

https://noah-news.com/gb/en/news/2024/05/06/iranian-human-rights-lawyer-nasrin-sotoudeh-describes-prison-conditions-as-hell

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/apr/10/students-iran-threatened-prosecution-graduation-dance-video

https://www.omct.org/en/resources/statements/iran-reports-indicate-an-alarming-increase-in-execution-orders-for-prisoners-including-the-famous-artist-toomaj-salehi

https://pen.org/press-release/iranian-cartoonist-detained-for-trying-to-post-a-cartoon-on-a-wall-next-to-presidential-palace

گزارشی از آخرین وضعیت چهار وکیل دادگستری زندانی
(FARSI)

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/moyen-orient/20240427-iran-un-collectif-d-artistes-et-d-avocats-apporte-son-soutien-au-rappeur-toomaj-salehi-condamn%C3%A9-%C3%A0-mortns (FRANCAIS)

https://www.ildubbio.news/cultura/nasrin-sotoudeh-storia-di-unavvocata-lo-spettacolo-al-salone-del-libro-di-torino-he7pimxq (ITALIANO)

UK: Duty solicitor pinned down by security staff at Stratford said he ‘could not breathe’

Sem categoria 05/05/2024 Leave a comment

03/05/24

A duty solicitor has described the moment ‘four or five’ court security staff pinned him down with their knees, apparently ignoring his plea that he could not breathe.

Dele Johnson was working as duty solicitor in the Youth Court at Stratford Magistrates’ on Wednesday 1 May when the incident occurred. He said he thought ‘for about 30 seconds that I was in danger’.

Johnson had arrived early for his hearing, passed through security and was given a pat-down. Later, he told the Gazette, he stepped out of the court building and stood outside the glass-fronted entrance for a cigarette. When he returned, a security officer said he would need to go through another check. He agreed to a second pat-down but when asked to remove his shoes, he refused. Security told him he could not re-enter the building. He asked to make a formal complaint. Eventually, security forcibly removed him.

He said: ‘The first time I got thrown out of court, I was grabbed by four duty officers. I hit my hand on the barrier, and they left me outside while my bag was in the advocates’ room.

‘I got a phone call saying a youth client was at court so I came back to do my duty. I explained the situation and she told the chair. I get let in the side door, go upstairs, meet up with the client, take instructions, gave advice.

‘At lunchtime I did not leave the court, I did not want to antagonise [security] so I stayed in.’

While in court, Johnson said a member of security entered the courtroom. He was aware this was likely in connection with him. Johnson left the courtroom later to discuss matters with other representatives. On his return, his entrance was stopped by security staff.

Johnson said: ‘One of the security officers blocked me while I try to go to court number 10.’

Johnson, who used the second door to attempt entry, added: ‘He pushed me and I said “what are you doing?”. I tried to go through the other door, and he pushed me and said “you’re not going in”. Then somebody grabbed me by the neck, another person grabbed my arm.’

At this point, Johnson said, ‘four or five’ guards grabbed him. He said: ‘I was saying “you need to let me go” but it got worse. I said “if you do not let go of me, I will have to defend myself”. I started swinging. I felt I was fighting for my life against five grown men to stop them holding me and grabbing me.

‘Eventually they get me on the ground, and it hurt a little bit. There were quite a few grown men on my back. Their knees were on my arms, legs, and my back.

‘I have asthma, my chest was being pushed to the floor so now I am struggling to breathe.

[…]

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/exclusive-i-felt-i-was-fighting-for-my-life-stratford-duty-solicitor-describes-being-pinned-down-by-court-security/5119598.article

‘I can’t breathe,’ says British lawyer Dele Johnson, arrested by security for refusing to take off shoes

https://punchng.com/i-cant-breathe-says-uk-lawyer-dele-johnson-pinned-down-by-security-for-refusing-to-remove-shoes

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13383139/Black-lawyer-pinned-five-court-security-staff-not-taking-shoes-search.html

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/solicitor-injured-in-incident-with-court-security-officers/5119586.article?adredir=1

France: Macron Should Stand Firm on Rights in China

Sem categoria 05/05/2024 Leave a comment

03/05/24

 French President Emmanuel Macron should lay out consequences for the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity and deepening repression during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Paris, Human Rights Watch said today. Xi’s visit on May 6-7, 2024, will mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between France and the People’s Republic of China, and will likely focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and trade issues.

“President Macron should make it clear to Xi Jinping that Beijing’s crimes against humanity come with consequences for China’s relations with France,” said Maya Wang, acting China director at Human Rights Watch. “France’s silence and inaction on human rights would only embolden the Chinese government’s sense of impunity for its abuses, further fueling repression at home and abroad.”

Respect for human rights has severely deteriorated under Xi Jinping’s rule. His government has committed crimes against humanity – including mass detention, forced labor, and cultural persecution – against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, adopted draconian legislation that has erased Hong Kong’s freedoms, and intensified repression of government critics across the country.

In March 2021, European Union governments unanimously agreed to adopt targeted sanctions against a handful of Chinese officials and entities deemed responsible for the crackdown in Xinjiang. China immediately retaliated with counter-sanctions, which contributed to cooling bilateral relations and the suspension of a bilateral trade deal.

Macron visited Beijing in 2019 and 2023, but refrained from publicly speaking out about the deteriorating human rights situation in the country. He should change course and publicly raise human rights concerns during Xi’s visit, Human Rights Watch said.

Specifically, Macron should urge Xi to end crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and release hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs who remain arbitrarily detained or imprisoned, including Rahile Dawut, a Uyghur academic, and Ilham Tohti, the economist and Sakharov Prize laureate. Macron should press Xi to end Chinese government oppression in Tibet.

Macron should also urge Xi to revoke the two draconian national security laws that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong. As both laws can be applied for actions outside of China, they affect Hong Kong people and registered businesses in France that criticize the Chinese government. Macron should press for the release of jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders including Joshua Wong, Chow Hang-tung, and Jimmy Lai, among others.

Finally, Macron should press the Chinese government to end its relentless repression of peaceful activists across China, including by freeing the human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, arrested in April 2023 on their way to meet an EU delegation in Beijing.

[…]

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/05/03/france-macron-should-stand-firm-rights-china

https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/china/china-immediately-release-human-rights-lawyer-yu-wensheng-and

https://www.asianlawyers.net/statements/2024-04-26-report-on-the-hong-kong-snso-impact-on-lawyers

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/05/04/macron-urged-to-put-human-rights-at-heart-of-talks-with-china-s-xi-ahead-of-visit_6670404_4.html

https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/05/hrw-france-should-put-pressure-on-china-for-alleged-crimes-against-humanity

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yu_Wensheng

https://www.voachinese.com/a/beijing-attorney-yu-wensheng-marks-one-year-in-detention-20240429/7589546.html (MANDARIN)

https://www.hrw.org/zh-hans/news/2024/05/03/france-macron-should-stand-firm-rights-china

https://www.hrw.org/fr/news/2024/05/03/france-macron-devrait-faire-preuve-de-fermete-au-sujet-des-droits-en-chine (FRANCAIS)

https://www.letemps.ch/monde/europe/a-paris-des-manifestants-denoncent-la-politique-de-xi-jinping-a-l-occasion-de-sa-visite

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/05/03/avant-la-visite-de-xi-jinping-en-france-l-epineuse-question-des-droits-humains_6231346_3210.html

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/05/03/avant-la-visite-de-xi-jinping-en-france-l-epineuse-question-des-droits-humains_6231346_3210.html

https://www.amnesty.fr/actualites/visite-de-xi-jinping-en-france-emmanuel-macron-sujets-droits-humains

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/ile-de-france/seine-saint-denis/chine-en-france-des-postes-de-police-chinoise-clandestins-organisent-des-retours-forces_6521618.html

ICC warns against ‘threats’

Sem categoria 04/05/2024 Leave a comment

03/05/24

The International Criminal Court prosecutor warned on Friday against unspecified threats and intimidation, amid reports that Israel is concerned the tribunal could issue arrest warrants over the war in Gaza.

The Hague-based ICC did not say if the comment related to its investigation into possible war crimes by Israel or Palestinian groups in Gaza and the West Bank.

The office of ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said on X, formerly Twitter, that it was aware of “significant public interest” in its activities and said it sought to “engage constructively with all stakeholders.”

But it added that the court’s “independence and impartiality are undermined, however, when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or against court personnel.

“Such threats, even not acted upon, may constitute an offence” against the ICC’s “administration of justice”, it warned, calling for an end to such activity.

Khan’s office declined to say where the threats had come from and which investigation was concerned, when questioned by AFP.

US and Israeli media reports have suggested the ICC prosecutor could issue warrants against both Israeli politicians — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — and Hamas leaders.

[…]

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240503-icc-warns-against-retaliation-threats

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/3/icc-calls-for-an-end-to-threats-against-the-court-as-war-in-gaza-rages-on

https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-799748

https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/05/us-senators-send-threatening-letter-to-icc-prosecutor-saying-target-israel-and-we-will-target-you

https://www.fidh.org/es/temas/justicia-internacional/corte-penal-internacional-cpi/fidh-and-provea-react-to-icc-prosecutor-karim-khan-s-venezuela-visit

https://www.icc-cpi.int

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2024/05/03/la-cour-penale-internationale-affirme-faire-l-objet-de-menaces_6231391_3210.html (FRANCAIS)

https://www.icc-cpi.int/fr

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cour_p%C3%A9nale_internationale

Tunisia: Les avocats en grève dans les tribunaux de Tunis

Sem categoria 03/05/2024 Leave a comment

02/05/24

Ils dénoncent le harcèlement dont ils font l’objet dans et la détérioration des conditions de travail à l’intérieur des tribunaux et menacent d’escalade.

Les avocats de la section de Tunis de l’Ordre des avocats ont organisé, ce jeudi 2 mai 2024, une manifestation et une journée de colère devant le Palais de Justice de Tunis à la Rue Bab Bnet, entre le Palais de Justice et le siège de l’Ordre des Avocats.

Selon le bâtonnier de l’Ordre des avocats de Tunis, Laroussi Zguir, “le mouvement de grève des avocats et dans tous les tribunaux du Grand-Tunis vise à protester contre ce qu’ils considèrent comme un harcèlement dont ils font l’objet quand il s’agit de défendre les droits et les libertés comme ils dénoncent la détérioration des conditions de travail à l’intérieur des tribunaux”.

Il a, par ailleurs indiqué que la section de Tunis des avocats menace d’escalade si le ministère de la Justice ne répond pas à leurs demandes.

https://www.webdo.tn/fr/actualite/national/les-avocats-en-greve-dans-les-tribunaux-de-tunis/213914

Les avocats protestent devant le Palais de Justice de Tunis

https://www.espacemanager.com/plus-de-500-avocats-appellent-la-liberation-de-ghazi-chaouachi-et-ridha-belhadj.html

500 avocats appellent à la libération de Ghazi Chaouachi et Ridha Belhadj

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/Ghazi-Chaouachi-et-Ridha-Belhaj-adressent-une-lettre-aux-avocats-,520,137306,3

Affaire de complot en Tunisie : Demande de libération de deux avocats
Tunisie : le CRDLHT dénonce la «détention arbitraire» des «prisonniers politiques»

https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1558954/politique/comment-la-tunisie-met-ses-prisonniers-politiques-aux-oubliettes

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazi_Chaouachi

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridha_Belhaj

Tunisia: The authorities must release opposition figures and end politically motivated prosecutions
(ENGLISH)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazi_Chaouachi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridha_Belhaj_(politician)

Malawi: Lawyer Chirwa still in custody, claims MCP is persecuting him

Sem categoria 02/05/2024 Leave a comment

01/05/24

There’s a twist in the tale to the saga of arrested lawyer, Stanley Chirwa, who is still under police custody in Lilongwe. This, after Chirwa has charged that the MCP government is targeting him for dragging its secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka to court over corruption allegations.

Chirwa, who is part of a Lilongwe-based law firm, S & M Lawyers & Associates, was arrested on Friday 26th of April, 2024 over possession of a Ford Ranger motor vehicle that was stolen at a gunpoint in South Africa back in 2018. 

Initially, Chirwa was expected to be brought before a court of law of competent jurisdiction on Monday 29th April 2024 to be formally charged for his detention. However this has not happened, prompting him to ask for Malawi Human Rights Commission’s (MHRC) intervention.

In the letter seen by this publication and copied to the United States Ambassador to Malawi, the British High Commissioner to Malawi, and all Civil Society Organizations in Malawi, the legal practitioner is against his prolonged detention which he described as “unlawful”.

Chirwa has told MHRC that he believes his arrest is a result of his involvement in cases of individuals and organizations that seem to be against the Tonse Administration and he accuses the state agents of using resources as a tool of oppression against the pursuit of justice.

Among other cases, Chirwa is representing the Forum for National Development and Centre for Mindset Change which is demanding information on corruption allegations against Eseinhower Mkaka.

“I have sufficient reasons to believe that this act of impunity by the state is a deliberate ploy to frustrate my efforts in contributing to the delivery of justice in matters where some public figures and Civil Society Organizations who are perceived to be opponents of the current regime are interested parties.

“Most notably, I’ve been actively involved in the following matters: 1. Criminal Case Number 1330 of 2023, The Republic Vs Norman Chisale involving complaints by the Current Minister of Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, and Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau amongst others. 2. Various criminal matters involving Mr Bon Kalindo, a civil and political rights activist who is a fierce critic of the Government,” said Chirwa in the letter.

[…]

Lawyer Chirwa still in custody, claims MCP is persecuting him
Lawyer Stanley Chirwa arrested over possession of stolen Ford Ranger car
Lawyer in the cooler for allegedly buying stolen vehicle from South Africa

https://ground.news/article/lawyer-stanley-chirwa-arrested-over-possession-of-stolen-ford-ranger-car

https://www.camscanner.com/share/show?device_id=IP_aa9b30e12b4b305c18ccd0cb0182bd8d_lite&sid=76F5AEB2EA234C66Lf7XX752US&pid=dsi&style=1&t=1714555023&share_page_style=0&app_version=6.62.0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malawi_Congress_Party

South Sudan: Defense lawyer ‘intimidated’ over Kalisto’s case at regional court

Sem categoria 01/05/2024 Leave a comment

30/04/24

The lawyer of Pan African Law Chamber, currently suing the South Sudan government at the East African Court of Justice over the detention of former Juba mayor Kalisto Ladu, said security personnel have harassed and intimidated him and asked him to drop the case.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Tuesday afternoon, Lawyer Wani Santino Jada said two security agents with pistols came to his office in Juba on 24 April and asked him not to proceed with Kalisto’s case at the regional court.

“The two security officers with pistols came to my office on 24 April and asked to meet me. During our discussion, they told me that there were orders from above that I should refrain from pursuing the case, and I felt harassed and intimidated. I could also see their faces changed during our conversation on the issue,” he said.

“When I asked them if the order came from the Director General of the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service or his deputy, they said we are not here to discuss the issue; we are here just to inform you that you should back off from this case,” he added. 

When asked if he fears for his security and life in Juba, Lawyer Wani said: “I don’t fear for my security, but my message to National Security is that let them be professional. Let them produce any person in their detention centre to competent courts based on our laws. The National Security’s job is to collect information, and the police is the only agency that should have powers of arrest.”

[…]

https://www.radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/defense-lawyer-intimidated-over-kalistos-case-at-regional-court

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_African_Court_of_Justice

Turkey’s top appeals court upholds prison sentence of prominent lawyer

Sem categoria 01/05/2024 Leave a comment

30/04/24

Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld a prison sentence handed down to the head of a now-closed lawyers’ association who has been behind bars for more than seven years on terrorism-related charges.

In November 2022 head of the now-closed Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) Selçuk Kozağaçlı, also a prominent human rights activist and lawyer, was among 19 lawyers given 146 years in prison in total on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” by the İstanbul 18th High Criminal Court.

The court convicted the lawyers of membership in the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army/Front (DHKP/C) and spreading the propaganda of the DHKP/C, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU.

The court sentenced jailed defendants Kozağaçlı and Barkın Timtik to 12 years in prison each and ruled to keep them in jail during appeal.

The lawyers say their prosecution is politically motivated.

The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has concluded the appeals for Kozağaçlı and Timtik and upheld their sentences while sending the files of the other defendants to a regional appeals court for review. The top court, however, reduced Kozağaçlı’s sentence to 10 years, 15 days on a technicality.

Kozağaçlı, who was arrested in November 2017 on terrorism charges, angered the government by representing two academics who were fired from their jobs by government decrees, the victims of a mining disaster in Soma in western Turkey in 2014 and many other persecuted people.

[…]

Turkey’s top appeals court upholds prison sentence of prominent lawyer

https://bianet.org/haber/court-of-cassation-upholds-sentences-in-progressive-lawyers-association-case-294816

https://raillynews.com/2024/04/Big-defense-rally-from-lawyers

https://bianet.org/haber/tahir-elci-killing-prosecution-seeks-acquittal-of-all-police-officers-294798

4 judges associations in Europe send letter to Turkish justice minister for release of jailed jurist

Amnesty slammed for ignoring plight of Gülen movement members in new report
‘Turkish judiciary is protecting the murderers,’ says DEM Party’s Koçyiğit

https://bianet.org/haber/vandalism-at-the-grave-of-kurdish-lawyer-medet-serhat-294116

https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/hukumluler-ve-hukumsuzler-haber-1676975 (TURKCE)

https://www.evrensel.net/haber/517193/yargitay-selcuk-kozagacli-ve-barkin-timtikin-cezalarini-onadi

https://sendika.org/2024/04/selcuk-kozagacli-hakkindaki-12-yillik-hapis-cezasi-onandi-704786

https://bianet.org/haber/yargitay-selcuk-kozagacli-ve-barkin-timtik-hakkinda-cezayi-onadi-294794