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In the recent police raids conducted in 21 cities, including Diyarbakır, lawyer Resul Temur's office was searched by a prosecutor and police officers, who allegedly conducted an unlawful search.
The prosecutor, Mehmet Kalababa, who is known for handling press cases, confiscated all the case files and digital materials related to Temur's previous cases without making copies, in violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Among the confiscated files was an indictment prepared by Kalababa himself against 16 journalists who are currently imprisoned in Diyarbakır.
In addition, Kalababa prevented Temur from meeting with his lawyer during the search. When Temur's defense attorney, Semra Bolyan, was present during the search, Kalababa denied them the right to meet, stating that Temur was not yet under custody.
Several bar association representatives, including attorneys Semra Balyan, Gulsen Demir, Rusen Seydaoğlu, Gülan ÇağınKaleli, Ahmet Kerim Tucer, Servet Vural, and Baver Mızrak, objected to the intervention during the search. They argued that bar representatives could be present during every stage of the search and meet with their clients.
Physical intervention
However, Kalababa ordered the police to remove the lawyers from the room, and the police physically intervened between Temur and his defense attorney. The attorneys present documented the situation and claimed that Kalababa exceeded his authority and misused his power by violating Temur's right to access legal representation and hampering his right to an effective defense.
In addition, they claimed that Kalababa had interfered with their professional activities and prevented them from carrying out their duties as effective legal counsel. The attorneys recorded that the search and confiscation process continued despite their objections, and it lasted for approximately five hours.
The incident has been widely condemned by the legal community, including bar associations, as a violation of the rule of law and a threat to the independence of the legal profession in Turkey. (HA/VK)
