26/01/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
The compensation lawsuit filed by Attorney Hayriye Kara of Kaos GL, who was detained during the Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March, will be heard on January 29 at 10:45 a.m. at the Ankara 14th Heavy Penal Court.
Kaos GL Association has called for participation in the compensation lawsuit filed by Attorney Hayriye Kara, who was detained during the 23rd Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March where the association was present to provide on-site support for requests for legal assistance, against unlawful detention and ill-treatment.
The first hearing of the case of Attorney Hayriye Kara, who is also the Coordinator of Kaos GL’s Refugee Rights Program, will be held on January 29 at 10:45 a.m. at the Ankara 14th Heavy Penal Court.
Attorney Kara was among those detained during the Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March on June 29, 2025. Kara, together with other lawyers, was subjected to ill-treatment and prevented from carrying out their professional duties.
Following this, Attorney Kara filed a criminal complaint and a compensation lawsuit. The first hearing of the compensation case filed regarding unlawful detention, ill-treatment, and unjust judicial control measures will be held on January 29, 2026 at 10:45 a.m. in the courtroom of the Ankara 14th Heavy Penal Court, as the heavy penal court of the province where Kara resides is legally competent.
The full text of the association’s call is as follows:
Justice for Attorney Hayriye Kara, Freedom for the Pride March!
The defense cannot be silenced!
We are seeking justice for Attorney Hayriye Kara, who was unlawfully detained at the 23rd Istanbul Pride March, subjected to the torture of reverse handcuffing, and prevented from practicing her profession.
Kaos GL Refugee Program Coordinator and Attorney Hayriye Kara was in Istanbul on June 29, 2025 to stand in solidarity with her colleagues against rights violations that would occur during the 23rd Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March. However, police violence and blockades targeting human rights defenders also targeted lawyers.
What happened that day?
Hayriye Kara was in Beşiktaş to support the crisis desk established under the Istanbul Bar Association. The course of events clearly revealed the lawless attitude of law enforcement forces:
Unregistered Detention: While observing on Gültekin Street in Beşiktaş, she was stopped by police despite showing her lawyer ID. Without any official procedure, she was deprived of her liberty in an “unregistered” manner. This arbitrary conduct was recorded in minutes by other lawyers present.
Café Blockade: In order to wait for legal aid calls as required by her duty, she went to a café in Ortaköy. However, the police blockaded the café and prevented Kara and other lawyers from leaving.
Detention While Boarding the Bar Vehicle: After informing the Istanbul Bar Association of the situation, an official bar vehicle arrived to pick her up. Just as she was about to board the vehicle, she was detained by police officers who had been waiting there for hours.
She was prevented from practicing her profession and subjected to ill-treatment
Hayriye Kara was prevented from providing legal representation to those detained. She was subjected to reverse handcuffing, held in poor conditions, and punished through the unjust imposition of a travel ban. This ban could only be lifted months later.
We are coming together for justice!
We do not remain silent against this mentality that bans Pride Marches, turns the streets into places of torture, and even targets lawyers.
We are coming together at the first hearing of the compensation case filed due to both unregistered deprivation of liberty and unjust detention and ill-treatment. We are not leaving our friend, comrade, and lawyer who lives in Ankara alone.
We call on all human rights defenders and members of the press to stand in solidarity.
Date: January 29, 2026
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Place: Ankara 14th Heavy Penal Court Courtroom
Kaos GL Association
Tags: human rights, women, life, lgbti
