Judge Back on Duty After Being Suspended for Interfering with Lawyer's Skirt Length

Women carry a banner that reads, "Don't interfere with my clothes," in a demonstration in Kadıköy, İstanbul. (Photo: Gazete Kadıköy)

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Judge Mehmet Yoylu has been reinstated in his post after being sidelined due to his sexist words about a lawyer's skirt length in a hearing at the Anadolu Courthouse in İstanbul.

Yoylu was reinstated in his post on October 24 upon an order by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) after being suspended for five months, the daily Hürriyet reported.

The judge has not been appointed at his former place of duty but at a court in Gebze, Kocaeli for the "security of the investigation," the report said.

"As it was understood that the actions subject to the investigation did not constitute an obstacle for the continuation of the duty, it was decided to abolish the dismissal decision," the HSK order said.

The incident happened on May 29, 2019, in a hearing at İstanbul 2nd Labor Court.

The judge said that the skirt of a woman lawyer is about 15 centimeters higher than her knee and asked the other lawyers in the courtroom that if this is compatible with the attorneyship regulations.

The attorney of the defendant said, "[This is] about the area of freedom. It shouldn't be interfered with."

Judge Yoylu said that the skirt of the lawyer is too short and requested it be photographed to "not cause a misunderstanding."

The attorney of the defendant did not accept the request of being photographed. All the words said were recorded in minutes.

After reactions, Justice Minister Abdülhamit Gül said he will "pursue the issue." (EMK/VK)