Twelve bar associations say law is ignored in Gezi Trial

Twelve bar associations underlined that the law was ignored in the Gezi Trial and stated that the court applied unprecedented practices.

The trial of the 16 defendants of Gezi Park protests included Osman Kavala will continue in Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court on 28 January.

A joint statement was made by the bars of Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Aydın, Bursa, Amed, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Dersim, Urfa and Van regarding the trial.

The statement entitled "If there is no defense, there is no fair trial" said: "Fair trials can only be celebrated by independent courts as a result of the exercise of an effective defense right."

The statement also underlined the fear that a fair trial was not in sight and reminded that "unprecedented practices in dealing with witnesses."

The baros also underlined that the right to defense was heavily affected and added that these practices are in violation of the rights guaranteed by national and international conventions.