Bar associations across Türkiye have issued a joint statement condemning the arrest of nine young protesters who criticized trade between Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Israel during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's speech at the TRT World Forum.

The protesters had reportedly raised concerns about Azerbaijani oil being transported to Israel through Türkiye, sparking their peaceful demonstration at the high-profile event. Their arrest has drawn widespread criticism, with legal organizations accusing authorities of infringing on fundamental rights.

In their statement, the bar associations asserted that the arrests violated the protesters’ constitutional rights, particularly their right to legal security and freedom of expression. “With this unconstitutional arrest decision, the right to legal security has been violated, and the right to freedom of expression has been subjected to judicial threat,” the statement read.

The bar associations emphasized the importance of protecting democratic freedoms, urging authorities to respect constitutional guarantees and ensure that dissenting voices are not silenced through judicial means.

The legal bodies demanded the immediate release of the nine individuals, asserting that their detention sets a dangerous precedent for curbing public dissent and undermines the rule of law. They also called for greater accountability in safeguarding citizens' rights to express their views without fear of persecution.

This incident has reignited debates in Türkiye about the balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties, with legal and human rights organizations urging the government to uphold democratic principles. (ILKHA)