10.02.2026 19:22
The prosecutor presented its opinion on the main case regarding manager Ayşe Barım, who was arrested on charges of directing artists during the Gezi Park protests and was released on the 248th day of her detention. The prosecution requested that Barım be punished for the crime of "aiding an attempt to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey." The trial prosecutor sought an aggravated life sentence for the charge of "attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey."
Manager Ayşe Barım, who was arrested for "aiding and abetting the attempt to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey or to partially or completely prevent it from performing its duties by using force and violence" by directing artists to the Gezi Park protests, was released on October 1 by the Istanbul 26th Heavy Penal Court, where she was tried with a request for up to 30 years in prison. It was also decided that Barım would be subject to judicial control measures in the form of house arrest and a travel ban, and she regained her freedom on the 248th day of her detention.
REQUEST FOR AGGRAVATED LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR AYŞE BARIM FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
The trial prosecutor presented his opinion on the merits during the session. Although the investigating prosecutor requested punishment for Barım on the charge of "aiding and abetting the attempt to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey," the trial prosecutor requested that Barım be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of "attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey."
In the prosecutor's opinion, it was claimed that Ayşe Barım engaged in planning, organizing, and directing activities through artists during the Gezi Park protests 12 years ago, managing the process on social media and in the field, and participating in the crime of attempting to overthrow the government.
"GEZI PROTESTS WERE CONDUCTED IN A PLANNED AND SYSTEMATIC MANNER"
The opinion stated that the Gezi Park protests were conducted in a systematic and planned manner within an organization. It was expressed that the defendant Ayşe Barım showed will on social media and in the field on behalf of artists with high potential to attract public sympathy and lead crowds, engaging in planning, organizing, and directing activities.
It was emphasized that there was no record of any communication between Barım and the main actors of Gezi Park beforehand, but she frequently and systematically established contact during the preparation and initial stages of the protests, and these meetings could not be considered coincidental.
"THE SUPREME COURT DECISION WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT"
In the opinion, it was stated that Barım, who was alleged to have acted together with Osman Kavala, Mehmet Ali Alabora, and Çiğdem Mater Utku, actively engaged in planning, organizing, and directing activities on behalf of the artistic community during the Gezi Park events. It was noted that the actions constituted the crime of "attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Turkey," taking into account the ruling of the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court numbered 2023/12611 and 2023/6359.
The decision hearing of the case will be held tomorrow.