Lawsuit against women defending Istanbul Convention

A lawsuit was filed against women defending the Istanbul Convention and Mezopotamya Agency journalist Eylem Akdağ, who followed the news.

A lawsuit was filed against the women who took part in the statement made by the Ankara Women's Platform against the withdrawal of the government from the Istanbul Convention on 12 August 2020. Lawyers Arzu Kurt, a member of the Freedom Lawyers Association (ÖHD), Sevinç Hocaoğulları from the Social Law Group, Nebiye Merttürk, President of the People's Houses, and 33 women, including Mezopotamya Agency (MA) journalist Eylem Akdağ were charged with “opposition to the 2911 numbered demonstration and march law”. This charge carries a sentence of 1 year, 6 months to 3 years’ imprisonment.

The Ankara Women's Platform was defined in the indictment as "the organization of the Ankara Women's Council without a legal institution".

While the indictment was accepted by the Ankara 28th Criminal Court of First Instance, the first hearing has been set for 7 June.