Turkey: Immediately Release and Withdraw Charges against Taner Kilic and other Lawyers | Joint Letter

July 5, 2017

We write on behalf of the Law Society of Upper Canada* and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (“LRWC”) ** to voice our grave concern over the arrest and detention of lawyer Taner Kiliç and 22 additional lawyers. When serious issues of apparent injustice to lawyers and the judiciary come to our attention, we speak out.

Taner Kiliç, lawyer and human rights defender, has served as the chair of Amnesty International Turkey since 2014 and has been on the board of the organization since 2002.

It has come to the attention of the Law Society and LRWC that on the morning of June 6, 2017, the Anti-Terror Branch of the Izmir police searched Taner Kiliç’s home and his office.  The police then took Taner Kiliç into custody.

Since his arrest, Taner Kiliç has been charged with “membership of a terrorist organization.”  Authorities claim that they discovered Bylock, a secure mobile messaging application, on Taner Kiliç’s phone in August 2014.  Authorities say Bylock was used by members of what they have labelled the “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization” to communicate.  No evidence has been presented to substantiate this claim.  Moreover, Taner Kiliç states that he did not download or use Bylock and had not heard of it until it was mentioned during recent arrests and prosecutions.

According to Human Rights Watch, on June 9, 2017, Izmir Criminal Pace Judge No.3 ruled to remand Taner Kiliç in pre-trial detention.

Reports also indicate that 22 additional lawyers were detained in Izmir.  According to Amnesty International, on June 9, 2017, eight lawyers were remanded in pre-trial detention, one was released on bail, seven were taken to the courthouse at the same time as Taner Kiliç and are awaiting decisions on their cases and six remain in police custody.

…

Turkey: Immediately Release and Withdraw Charges against Taner Kilic and other Lawyers | Joint Letter

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/former-hdp-co-chair-yuksekdag-appears-before-court-242-days-after-arrest.aspx?pageID=238&nid=115152

Cameroon: Cameroun Presidency Humiliation Against Justice Ayah- Chief Justice Speaks Out

July 5, 2017

 

COMMENTS

THE CONSPIRACY – THE CONSPIRATORS….

“MY LIFE IN THE HANDS OF THE PRESIDENCY, THE GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE; Hon. IGELLE ELIAS AND COMPANY. BUT EQUALLY TELL THEM THAT MY GOD IS MIGHTY AND NEVER FAILS!”

I have held it back for months but I think the time has come for Cameroon and the world at large to know this.

Years after his election, the current member for Parliament for Akwaya, Hon IGELLE ELIAS, NEVER called me by phone or any member of The Ayah Family. But, surprisingly, he called my wife on January 19, 2017, the day unidentified men boldly came to arrest me at the supreme court premises, ostensibly to find out if gendarmes had released me from custody – two days before I was abducted, adding that, if ever I was released, my wife should let him know. The Honorable man jumped with joy when he discovered that my wife was in Buea, and so I was in Yaoundé alone in the house. He now briefed the other conspirators that the moment was propitious. It is important to state here that some of the conspirators are government ministers, especially the minister of Justice, while others are very prominent personalities at the Presidency of the Republic: the list of names is with several persons of my choice for custody in absolute confidentiality for now, including their various roles played. At least one other highly ranked personality reached out to another member of my family to confirm that I was alone at home.

Whereas, my physical elimination was now a matter of time, my wife intuitively left for Yaoundé in the early hours of January 21, 2017. When the squad came for me, there was my wife, along with my son and two others. Garri pass water!

…

https://www.bareta.news/cameroun-presidency-humiliation-justice-ayah-chief-justice-speaks/

Ayah Paul Abine Spits Fire From Jail

http://www.cameroon-info.net/article/cameroun-crise-anglophone-le-congres-americain-interpelle-le-departement-detat-293361.html (FRANCAIS)

Turkey: Attacker kills policeman and lawyer, commits suicide in northwestern Turkey

July 5, 2017

A 37-year-old man killed a police officer and a lawyer in Gemlik district of Turkey’s northwestern Bursa province late Tuesday.

Musa Güler, who lost a 42,000 lira ($11,700 US) foreclosure lawsuit involving his ex-wife Emine Deş reportedly called her and told her that he “will not allow her to enjoy the money.”

He shot Deş with a rifle, and left the house. Deş suffered injuries, a statement by Bursa Governorate said.

The man rushed to the courthouse to kill his former wife’s lawyer Özgür Aksoy, and killed a police officer who tried to stop him.

The police killed in the attack was identified as desk sergeant İdris Büyükdönme, Anadolu Agency reported, adding that the attacker committed suicide afterward.

The standoff took place in Gemlik Courthouse.

Security forces were deployed to the area, as crowds gathered in front of the courthouse, mistakenly thinking that the incident was a terror attack.

https://www.dailysabah.com/turkey/2017/07/04/attacker-kills-policeman-and-lawyer-commits-suicide-in-northwestern-turkey

https://fr.sputniknews.com/international/201707041032105183-attaque-palais-justice-victimes-turquie/ (FRANCAIS)

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/avukat-ozgur-aksoy-a-adliye-onunde-toren-bursa-yerelhaber-2146434/ (TURKCE)

http://www.gercekgundem.com/chpli-avukat-aksoy-ugurlandi-282220h.htm (TURKCE)

http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/sociedad/hombre-mata-policia-suicida-ante-juzgado-turquia-6147848 (ESPANOL)

https://www.dailysabah.com/deutsch/tuerkei/2017/07/05/tuerkei-angreifer-toetet-polizisten-verletzt-anwalt-und-nimmt-eine-geisel (DEUTSCH)

http://www.gazzetta.gr/plus/article/1105371/toyrkia-drastis-skotose-astynomiko-kai-aytoktonise (GREEK)

http://www.5-tv.ru/news/138697/ (RUSSIAN)

Ghana: Appeals court adjourns Francis Sosu suspension case

July 4, 2017

The Court of Appeal has adjourned the case brought by Human Rights lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu who is challenging his suspension from the bar for professional malpractice.

The General Legal Council which handed down the suspension was represented in court by Kizito Beyuo who pleaded for the adjournment.

He said the GLC is unable to respond to fresh allegations contained in a statement handed to him just before the day’s court session began.

He explained some of the allegations were against officers of the GLC who need to be contacted before a response can be put together.

Justice F.G Kobieh granted the request and adjourned proceedings to July 11.

Lawyer Sosu was handed a  3-year ban on June 1, for overcharging a client as well as advertising his services.

…

http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2017/July-4th/appeals-court-adjourns-francis-sosu-suspension-case.php

https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/04/xavier-sosus-stay-of-execution-plea-adjourned/

https://yen.com.gh/95217-court-appeal-adjourns-hearing-suspended-lawyer-francis-sosus-stay-execution.html

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Court-adjourns-Sosu-s-case-to-July-11-555299

http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2017/July-5th/general-legal-councils-advertising-restrictions-on-lawyers-challenged-at-supreme-court.php

https://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/local/news/201707/319362.php

*GENERAL LEGAL COUNCIL DELIBERATELY DELAYING THE APPLICATION FOR STAY/SUSPENSION OF THEIR DECISION FILED BY HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER FRANCIS-XAVIER SOSU* It is becoming obvious that the General Legal Counsel realizing that they do not have a case on appeal against the renowned Human Rights Lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu is attempting to rely on some technicalities to delay the hearing of the matter. Following the Council’s decision on 1st June, 2017 to suspend Lawyer Sosu for 1 year on charge of Overestimation of Legal fees and 3 years on another charge of Tounting and Advertising, Lawyer Sosu filed an Appeal against the said decision at the Registry of the High Court, Human Rights Division on 7th June, 2017. The appeal was immediately followed with an application for Stay of Execution and/or suspension of the decision of the GLC pending the determination of the Appeal. It is revealing however that even though the application for stay was filed on *13th June, 2017* and same was served on the GLC on the same day, the GLC waited until the afternoon of *Friday, 30th June, 2017* to file their affidavit in Opposition only to allege that the Appeal is defective and that the Court of Appeal does not have jurisdiction to hear the Application. This application was filed at a time that it was obvious that Lawyer Sosu would never be served with same before the hearing of the Application on the morning of 4th July, particularly because 3rd July was also a holiday. Our search disclosed that Lawyer Sosu coincidentally was going to file a Supplementary affidavit at the Registry when he got served with the GLC’s affidavit upon request. In response to the said affidavit, Lawyer Sosu filed a further Supplementary affidavit on the morning of 4th July, 2017, the ONLY immediate option left to him and ensured that same was served on the GLC and their lawyers. HEARING At the hearing Justice Coffie (JA), noted that there were two applications but giving the fact that the subject matters were the same, it was necessary to consolidate both. Lawyer for GLC Kizito Beyou noted that because civil form 6 had not yet been issued the court had no jurisdiction to make such orders. The lead Counsel for Lawyer Sosu, Lawyer Samuel M. Codjoe insisted that the court had jurisdiction in respect of the Applications filed before it. The Court ruled that giving the fact that the matters before it were similar and raised similar issues and questions of law, the two applications be consolidated and argued together. On the substantive application, when the Lawyer for Mr. Sosu moved the court, the GLC lawyer interjected and asked that the Court be informed that Mr. Sosu’s last process filed was in the morning of 4th July, 2017. After giving the reasons why the only practical time available was the morning of 4th July, the Lawyer for the GLC insisted that he needed time to respond to some factual depositions of Mr. Sosu in his further Supplementary affidavit. We can also confirm that till date, the General Legal Council has not served Mr. Sosu with any ruling or Order suspending him even though they have published it on their websites and shared same across various social media. The matter is now adjourned to *Tuesday, 11th July 2017* at 12:00 for the consideration of the application. Though it is completely pre-mature, Lawyer Sosu’s appeal has raised serious legal and constitutional matters. One very crucial one is the fact that the charges of “grave misconduct in a professional respect” has not been defined by any law in Ghana. Our second critical observation is the clear arbitrariness in the regulation of a professional body like lawyers. For now, not being lawyers, we wait to see what the court and the Law Lords have to say about these serious issues. We will keep our eyes on this matters and update our cherished readers. Reporting for Awake News: Efo Korsi Senyo

Venezuela: Venezuela’s dissident state prosecutor expects to be fired

July 4, 2017

Venezuela’s pro-government Supreme Court heard a petition on Tuesday to remove dissident state prosecutor Luisa Ortega, who was expecting the ax after alleging rights abuses and erosion of democracy under President Nicolas Maduro.

Ortega, the main challenger to Maduro from within the ruling socialist movement during three months of opposition protests, said she would not recognize legal proceedings against her by an “unconstitutional and illegitimate” Supreme Court.

The internal fissure has emboldened anti-Maduro protesters, who have been staging near-daily demonstrations since April to demand early elections amid a devastating economic crisis that has millions struggling to eat properly.

“We already know they’re going to remove me today,” said Ortega in a speech at her office, slamming what she said was a “spurious” case designed to silence her.

“They’ve frozen my bank account, they’ve frozen my assets, and they’ve banned me from leaving the country. It appears that defending the constitution constitutes a crime,” she said, waving a small blue book of the charter written under Maduro’s predecessor and mentor, the late Hugo Chavez, in 1999.

The Supreme Court said, however, that it would issue a decision within five days on the charge brought by socialist lawmaker Pedro Carreno of “grave offense” against Ortega.

Officials have leveled a plethora of accusations against the a 59-year-old lawyer, from “insanity” and encouraging “terrorists” to misusing a confiscated plane.

…

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKBN19P20L

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/30/venezuela-chief-prosecutor-luisa-ortega-diaz-protection-maduro

http://www.france24.com/en/20170704-venezuela-top-prosecutor-luisa-ortega-profile-maduro-opponent-crisis

https://guardian.ng/news/luisa-ortega-venezuelan-prosecutor-defying-president/

http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/226274/venezuela%E2%80%99s-chief-prosecutor-tries-to-resist-pressure-from-gov%E2%80%99t

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisa_Ortega_D%C3%ADaz

http://www.france24.com/fr/20170709-venezuela-luisa-ortega-procureure-epine-chaviste-chaveznicolas-maduro-manifestion?ref=fb_i (FRANCAIS)

Democratic Republic of Congo: ACTIVIST AND LAWYER HELD AT MILITARY FACILITY

July 3, 2017

Jean-Marie Kalonji, an activist with the youth movement Quatrieme voie/ il est temps, was arrested by military security forces on Friday 23 June in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His colleague and lawyer Sylva Mbikayi was arrested a few hours later when he attempted to visit Jean-Marie Kalonji where he was detained.

Jean-Marie Kalonji was stopped by soldiers at an exit check-point of a military camp in Salongo neighbourhood of Lemba municipality at around 1630 hours on Friday 23 June as he left his brother’s house. When he explained that he could not show his passport as it was with an embassy where he had applied for a visa, the soldiers started questioning his nationality and searched his bag which contained flyers for a Lumumba scholarship programme set up by the youth movement Quartrieme Voie/ il est temps (the fourth way/ it is time). Jean-Marie Kalonji is the coordinator of this youth movement which aims to defend the rights of the Congolese youth and has campaigned for peace and democracy in the DRC.

At the time of his arrest, Jean-Marie Kalonji was on the phone with a colleague, who overheard part of the conversation with the soldiers. She alerted Sylva Mbikayi, a lawyer who supports the youth movement Quatrieme voie/ il est temps. When Sylva Mbikayi arrived at the military camp where Jean-Marie Kalonji was detained, he was also arrested.

Jean-Marie Kalonji and Sylva Mbikayi were transferred to the headquarters of the military intelligence at around 2300 hours. According to Jean-Marie Kalonji’s family, the two were ill-treated by the soldiers before being transferred. They have been detained there to date, without access to their family members or lawyers. They have not yet been charged.

…

Democratic Republic of Congo: Activist and lawyer held at military facility: Jean-Marie Kalonji and Sylva Mbikayi

http://congofriends.blogspot.fr/2017/07/sylva-mbikayi-peoples-attorney.html

http://www.blackstarnews.com/global-politics/africa/congolese-youth-leaders-detained-by-kabilas-illegal-regime

https://www.ifex.org/democratic_republic_of_congo/2017/07/07/activist-lawyer-detained/

Turkey: Judge caught near Greek border while on way to escape Turkey crackdown

July 3, 2017

A Turkish judge, identified as Ö. K., was arrested near Turkey’s Greek frontier in Edirne’s Ipsala district on  Monday.

Gendarmerie raided a country house in Haci village in Ipsala and rounded up Ö. K. who had an outstanding arrest warrant issued as part of an investigation into the Gulen movement which the Turkish government accuses of masterminding the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt.

According to DHA news agency, Ö. K. was earlier dismissed from his job under a post-coup emergency decree.

The court overseeing Ö. K.’s case out him in pre-trial detention.

More than 120,000 people have been detained and some 50,000 including academics, judges, doctors, teachers, lawyers, students, policemen and many from different backgrounds have been put in pre-trial detention since last summer.

Many tried to escape Turkey via illegal ways as the government cancelled their passports like thousands of others.

https://turkeypurge.com/judge-caught-near-greek-border-while-on-way-to-escape-turkey-crackdown

A new report in Sweden reveals Erdoğan orchestrated July 15 coup in Turkey

http://stockholmcf.org/scfden-carpici-darbe-raporu-15-temmuz-erdoganin-darbesi/ (TURKCE)