25.10.2026 18:51
Ümit Kocasakal, who was elected president according to unofficial results at the 128th Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association, gave noteworthy messages in his first statement after the election. Emphasizing that the Istanbul Bar Association would be the defender of the Republic and the first 4 unchangeable articles of the Constitution, Kocasakal stated that they would protect everyone's rights regardless of anyone's identity or political views, and said, "The Istanbul Bar Association has returned."
According to unofficial results at the 128th Ordinary General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal, who was elected president, made his first assessment after the results were announced. Kocasakal, who entered the election as the candidate of the Republican Power Union Group, gave messages regarding the road map they will follow in the new term.
"ISTANBUL BAR ASSOCIATION IS BACK"
Speaking after the elections, Kocasakal used the following statements: "The Istanbul Bar Association will continue to be the chest, eye and voice of the unitary structure and the unchangeable first 4 articles; it will continue to assume the guardianship of the Republic. We will continue to protect everyone's rights regardless of anyone's identity or political views. Without discriminating against any of our colleagues, we will continue to fight together with all our colleagues for the independence and honor of our profession. May it be auspicious for everyone. The Istanbul Bar Association is back!"
HE RECEIVED 9,548 VOTES
In the 128th Ordinary General Assembly held at the Haliç Congress Center to determine the administration of the Istanbul Bar Association for the 2026-2028 term, 9 candidates competed for the presidency.
According to unofficial results, Ümit Kocasakal, the candidate of the Republican Power Union Group, became the new president with 9,548 votes. Current President and candidate of the Lawyers for Change Group İbrahim Kaboğlu placed second with 6,607 votes, while Atakan Selanik, the candidate of the Republican Lawyers Group, placed third with 3,546 votes.