Istanbul Bar reports 20 arrests and access blocks after courthouse protest detentions
Published · Updated
What happened
The Istanbul Bar Association publicly reported on 21 September that authorities carried out 35 detentions and 20 arrests in a first wave after the 15 September protest outside Çağlayan Courthouse, and that access was blocked to 11 associations' websites and 419 social-media accounts. The protest had opposed the "Ailem Güvende" operation, and reporting on the incident said 107 people, including lawyers, were detained.
Why it matters
The development shows a concrete move from protest policing into arrests and digital-access restrictions by named institutions in Istanbul. That creates a measurable next stage for prosecutors, courts, bar associations, and opposition parties, with the possibility of additional case files, closure efforts, or new street mobilization.
The Istanbul Bar Association said on 21 September that a first wave of proceedings after the 15 September protest outside Çağlayan Courthouse produced 35 detentions, 20 arrests, and access blocks on 11 associations' websites and 419 social-media accounts. The detentions followed a demonstration against the "Ailem Güvende" operation, with the broader tally cited in reporting at 107 people detained, including lawyers. The named mechanism is now moving from short-term detention into arrests, digital restrictions, and potential prosecution files, creating a near-term path toward wider legal action and organized opposition reaction around rule-of-law claims.
Watch for
Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filing of new arrest requests or indictments tied to the Çağlayan protest by 2026-09-25 Istanbul 1st Criminal Judgeship of Peace rulings after 2026-09-22 on additional detention, release, or judicial-control measures for those held in the case Information and Communication Technologies Authority publication by 2026-09-25 of new access-block decisions covering the 11 associations or additional accounts Istanbul Bar Association announcement by 2026-09-25 of a courthouse action, legal aid mobilization, or a formal complaint to the Constitutional Court or ECtHR
Sources
- Gözaltıları protesto edenler de gözaltına alındı · bianet.org
- birgun.net
- 109 kişinin gözaltı süresi uzatıldı, işkence beyanlarına müdahale edildi · bianet.org
- cumhuriyet.com.tr
- Gözaltına alınan 106 kişi serbest bırakıldı · bianet.org
- İstanbul Barosu “Ailem Güvende” operasyonları ile ilgili raporunu açıkladı · ankahaber.net
Researched and written by AI from the sources listed, under published rules. How V³ Aware is made