The trial of 168 women and LGBTI+ individuals who were detained during the 2024 “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” protest on November 25 began today, with 30 defendants testifying in the first hearing. One defendant stated in her defense: “We are not here as perpetrators of a crime, but as those who defend life against crimes that have been committed for years without punishment. What is being presented to us as a crime here is taking to the streets against male violence. We want life.”
During the hearing, the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) requested that T24 reporter Can Öztürk, who was exposed to police violence while covering the protest, also be heard. The court did not make a ruling on this request. The next hearing was scheduled for April 8.
The 168 women and LGBTI+ individuals were detained in Istanbul’s Karaköy district after gathering for the November 25, 2024 protest and were later indicted on charges of “resisting to prevent public officials from performing their duties” and “participating in an unlawful demonstration and march without arms and refusing to disperse despite warnings.”
“What is being presented to us as a crime is taking to the streets against male violence”
The first to give a defense statement, Aleyna Arzum Yalçın, said:
“We are not here as perpetrators of a crime, but as those who defend life against crimes that have been committed for years without punishment. What is being presented to us as a crime here is taking to the streets against male violence. We want life. Our struggle is for a free and equal life. This is what they are trying to criminalize. We are faced with a state that does not protect women’s lives. We did not come here to prove our innocence because we are not guilty. We came to show who the real perpetrators are—the ones who fail to protect women and those who enable impunity. Every word spoken here today will echo in the mouths of thousands of women on the streets. I demand acquittal for all women.”
“We are fighting to end all forms of violence against women”
Defendant Aslı Çelik said in her defense statement:
“We are fighting to end all forms of violence against women. Women and LGBTI+ individuals who wanted to come together for a life without violence were prevented and unlawfully detained by police. In 2024, we said that our struggle is for one another—we must defend each other. Hundreds of women are killed every year. I demand my acquittal and reject the charges.”
“I was held handcuffed behind my back in an airless vehicle for more than eight hours”
Defendant Sıla Bayram stated in court:
“The police caused me injury. They hit me on the head with a barricade. I was searched inappropriately and taken into custody. They humiliated me by hanging my bag over my head. They must have thought I looked frail. In the yellow zone, a police officer entered the medical examination room with me. I was held handcuffed behind my back in an airless vehicle for more than eight hours. They didn’t give us our phones. We wanted to leave the hospital without undergoing an examination. Because we accepted responsibility to leave, both we and our friends felt like we were the guilty ones. In other words, we were prevented from obtaining medical reports to document the torture.”
“Even during my detention, police acted with indifference”
Defendant Berfin Demirel said:
“I participated in the protest to exercise my democratic rights, but even before reaching the protest area, we were subjected to police violence, beaten, and sprayed with tear gas. Even during my detention in handcuffs behind my back, police acted with indifference.”
“I was present as an observer”
Defendant Ece Milli, who was assigned as an observer by Amnesty International, stated:
“I was there as an observer as part of my duties. We were there to monitor a peaceful protest. Police surrounded us and placed us on a bus with our hands cuffed behind our backs. I didn’t hear any warnings.”
Defendant lawyer returns indictment to the court
Attorney Eren Kutlu, who is also a defendant in the case, returned the indictment to the court and said:
“I am an attorney registered with the Istanbul Bar Association. The head of the security branch, who knows me personally, unlawfully ordered my detention. This case has caused a personal conflict between us. I am filing a complaint against him. I request the case be separated and sent to the Bureau for Investigating Offenses by Public Officials. While trying this case, the lack of a male-explained statement may not be unlawful, but it contradicts the core of the file. I demand immediate acquittal for myself, but I also previously sent a written request a month ago for a courtroom that meets physical conditions, for SEGBIS (video conferencing) recording, and the assignment of a lawyer under the Criminal Procedure Code. I will not make a defense until these conditions are met. I return the indictment to you.”
T24 reporter’s testimony requested
At the hearing, attorney Mahmut Birdal from the Istanbul Bar Association Human Rights Center requested the testimony of T24 reporter Can Öztürk, who was subjected to police violence during the same protest. The court did not make a decision regarding the request. Although an investigation was requested against the police officers who intervened against Öztürk, permission to investigate was denied. MLSA has taken the case to the Regional Administrative Court.
Following the defense statements, the court adjourned the hearing to April 8.
