- Executives of the Young LGBT+ Association appeared before a judge on the charge of “obscenity” due to social media posts.
- Lawyer Kerem Dikmen, one of the association executives who said “The shared works are within the scope of freedom of expression,” requested acquittal; the court decided that all defendants be exempt from attending hearings.
Hilal Yağız
In Izmir, 11 rights advocates who took part in the management and supervisory bodies of the Young LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex) Youth Research and Solidarity Association have begun to be tried on the charge of “obscenity” due to five works of art shared from the association’s social media account. Up to 3 years of imprisonment is requested for the 11 people, including Kerem Dikmen and Emirhan Şaşmaz.
The hearing, which should have been seen at the Izmir 47th Criminal Court of First Instance, was held in the courtroom of the Izmir 6th High Criminal Court due to the insufficiency of the hall. Eight of the 11 people who took part in the association established in 2016 were present at the hearing. Lawyers from the Izmir Bar Association, representatives of civil society organizations and human rights advocates followed the hearing.
At the hearing, which started with a delay of approximately 45 minutes, first the defense statements of the defendants were taken.
It was stated that the posts subject to the case were five illustrations belonging to an exhibition organized on social media during curfews in the pandemic period. In their defense statements, the rights advocates stated that the works in question should be evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression and requested acquittal.
“LGBT+ rights advocacy is also a right”
In his defense statement, lawyer Kerem Dikmen said that he undertook the duty of the supervisory board in the association and that he embraced the posts as a rights advocate. Dikmen stated that there was no act constituting a crime in the indictment and said, “The shared works are within the scope of freedom of expression.”
Dikmen also said, “I embrace all statements of the association. We are being tried as human rights defenders; even if we receive punishment, we will continue to defend. The trial of human rights defenders is contrary to the principle of equality in Article 10 of the Constitution. LGBT+ people are a part of this society. If the Constitution says everyone is equal before the law, then LGBT+ rights advocacy is also a right. The shared visuals are within the scope of freedom of expression. Since these acts do not constitute a crime, I think we should be acquitted.”
Barış Azar, one of the association executives, in his defense statement said, “Today I am here with the pride of not having committed any crime and the honor of being a part of the LGBT struggle.”
Lawyers representing the defendants argued that the report prepared by officials of the Ministry of Interior was outside the limits of duty and requested acquittal for all defendants. The lawyers stated that the case has the nature of an intervention in freedom of expression.
Lawyer Sena Yazıbağlı Selanik said, “I brought with me the only evidence in the file,” and took out a rainbow flag from her bag. Selanik said, “Soon there will be intervention in the press statement to be made because of this flag. This is not a crime.”
Dinçer Dikmen, a member of the Board of Directors responsible for LGBT+ rights of the Izmir Bar Association, stated that the association provided education and accommodation opportunities to its members and said, “This case, beyond the trial of LGBT+ individuals’ rights to expression and organization, is a case of existence.”
Former Izmir Bar Association President Özkan Yücel, in his speech as the lawyer of all defendants, said, “Mr. judge, you looked at this file and the posts. I do not know if it encouraged you to anything.”
The court decided at the first hearing that all defendants be exempt from attending hearings. The hearing will be seen on October 14.
Association was closed, decision on appeal
The Young LGBT+ Association was dissolved with the decision dated December 11, 2025 of the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance. Due to the same posts, association members are also being tried with the allegation that they violated the provision “protection of the family and children’s rights” regulated in Article 41 of the Constitution.
Lawyers carried the decision regarding the closure of the association to the appellate court. The association, established in 2016, carried out activities in areas such as access of LGBT+ youth to basic needs like accommodation, education and health, and social support until it was closed.
Statement was made in front of the courthouse
After the hearing, a press statement was made in front of the Izmir Courthouse with the participation of more than 10 institutions. In the statement, the expressions “Freedom of expression cannot be prevented, human rights defenders cannot be tried” took place.
DEM Party Izmir Member of Parliament Burcugül Çubuk also participated in the statement. Çubuk, carrying a rainbow flag, said, “It has now become the symbol of all of our freedom.” During the statement, the slogan “Long live life despite hatred” was chanted.
