22.12.2024 14:40
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an ex officio investigation against Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and members of the board on charges of making propaganda for a terrorist organization and disseminating misleading information to the public. The statement indicated that the bar association's posts on social media served as the basis for these allegations.
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The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an ex officio investigation against Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu and board members for the crimes of 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization' and 'publicly disseminating misleading information.'
In a statement made by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated, "With the announcement made on the official Twitter account of the Istanbul Bar Association on 21/12/2024, it was determined that PKK terrorist organization members Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were killed due to commendatory statements and so-called journalistic activities and their journalist identities, and the dissemination of misleading information that our State allegedly committed a war crime. Therefore, an ex officio investigation has been initiated by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the Istanbul Bar Association President and board members for the crimes of Making Propaganda for a Terrorist Organization and Publicly Disseminating Misleading Information."
ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION'S STATEMENT
The post by the Istanbul Bar Association that led to the investigation is as follows: "According to information reflected in the media, journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin lost their lives as a result of an attack while following developments in Syria on December 19. Targeting journalists in conflict zones constitutes a violation of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions. Moreover, targeting civilians who are not parties to the war is expressed as one of the war crimes in Article 8/2/b/ii of the Rome Statute. Therefore, the rules regarding the protection of journalists working in armed conflict areas are part of International Humanitarian Law."
Additionally, regarding the mentioned incident, citizens, including four of our colleagues who are members of the Bar, two law faculty students, and dozens of journalists, were detained during a press statement that was attempted to be made in Şişhane Square. It is unacceptable for journalists and our colleagues, who used their constitutional rights and mourned for their colleagues, to be detained while an immediate investigation should be initiated regarding this incident that violates international law, and those responsible should be held accountable. We demand an effective investigation into the incident of the killing of two of our journalist citizens and the immediate release of those detained after making a press statement using their constitutional rights, and we respectfully announce to the public that we will follow up on the process."
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