"We made 70 people judges and prosecutors," he had said! Gökhan Ağdemir withdrew his candidacy

12.10.2026 17:26

Gökhan Ağdemir, President of the Ankara No. 2 Bar Association, withdrew his candidacy for the bar presidency following reactions to his live broadcast statement, “We made 70 of our members judges and prosecutors; the Ministry granted us a privilege.” Ağdemir, who argued that his words were taken out of context, stated that he made his decision in order to protect the institution’s reputation.

Lawyer Gökhan Ağdemir, President of the Ankara No. 2 Bar Association, made a radical decision after his remarks regarding judicial appointments on a live broadcast program he appeared on drew great reaction in public opinion and the legal community. Stepping back before the election, Ağdemir announced that he had withdrawn from his candidacy for the Bar Association Presidency.

"WE MADE 70 OF OUR MEMBERS JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS" REMARKS DREW REACTION

Speaking on Bengü Türk TV, Gökhan Ağdemir, while describing the bar association's work, mentioned the contacts they had with the Ministry of Justice. Ağdemir's remarks, "We serve as references for our colleagues who want to become judges and prosecutors. The Ministry also granted us a privilege; during our 2-year working period, we made 70 lawyer colleagues who are bar members judges and prosecutors," had inflamed debates over merit and judicial independence.

"MY WORDS WERE TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT," HE SAID, WITHDREW FROM CANDIDACY

After the reactions that rose following his statements, Ağdemir shared a written public announcement via his social media account, claiming that his words were distorted. Stating that he withdrew his candidacy in order not to harm the institution he worked with and the bar association he represented, Ağdemir said the following:

"I regretfully see that some of the statements I used on the live broadcast I appeared on were taken out of context and reflected to the public, and that the Ankara No. 2 Bar Association has been drawn into a debate process in which it is targeted. In order to protect the reputation of our institution and prevent the ethical values of the legal profession from becoming political material, I have decided to withdraw from the candidacy for the Presidency of the Ankara No. 2 Bar Association."

In his statement, Ağdemir also emphasized that he has full faith that the principles of merit, equality and adherence to law must be protected in the judiciary, and thanked his colleagues who supported him throughout his term of office.