14/05/2026 | Writer: Oğulcan Özgenç
The hearing was held in the case against activists detained during a demonstration held on 20 November 2024 for the Trans Day of Remembrance.
The hearing in the case filed against activists detained in front of Kolej Metro station on 20 November 2024, the Trans Day of Remembrance, on charges of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations,” was held at Ankara’s 50th Criminal Court of First Instance.
The hearing was monitored by ÜniKuir, the Human Rights Association (İHD), GALADER, Ankara Pride, the Revolutionary Socialist Workers’ Party (DSİP), the Ankara Bar Association LGBTI+ Rights Center, Kaos GL, the 17 May Association, Kapsama Alanı and the Hormon Hakkım Collective.
During the hearing, defendants described police torture and ill-treatment. The court adjourned the case until 14 October 2026.
The hearing began with the defendants’ statements. One of the defendants, Ş.B., said that 20 November is not only a day to commemorate trans people murdered in hate crimes, adding:
“20 November seeks to make visible the violence ignored by the state and society. Commemorating trans people subjected to hatred is not a crime.”
Ş.B. stated that on the day of the protest they were surrounded by police without any warning and said:
“I was detained under violence. I have epilepsy. While I was having a neurological seizure during the detention, I was handcuffed behind my back. Seven or eight police officers piled on top of me.”
“I was kept handcuffed behind my back despite having a panic attack”
Lawyer Doğa Teoman Çatalkaya later stated in the defense:
“This case is not isolated. We are approaching 17 May. This trial cannot be considered independently from the state’s attacks against LGBTI+ people. Today our clients are in fact victims of police violence. With this case, people’s right to exist in public space and to mourn is being targeted.”
Another defendant, A.Ö., said:
“There was no situation disrupting pedestrian or vehicle traffic on the day of the protest. We were detained with disproportionate violence without any warning being made. After the detention we went to the emergency room, and despite having a panic attack, I was kept handcuffed behind my back.”
“The right to commemorate the dead is a human right”
Lawyer Duygu Çildoğan said:
“The expert report clearly demonstrates police violence. The police officers should be standing trial as defendants.”
Lawyer İdil Arslanbaş stated:
“The indictment claims traffic and pedestrian flow were obstructed and that citizens were disturbed. There is not a single citizen complaint in the file. The indictment also refers to an ‘LGBTI+ organization.’ There is no such organization. The slogan ‘Long live life against hatred’ has been used as the basis for criminal charges. This slogan is not a crime. In this country, trans people lose their lives every day. The right to commemorate them, the right to mourn the dead, is a human right.”
The court adjourned the case until 14 October 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in order to address deficiencies in the case file.
What happened?
Following a call by the Ankara Pride Week Committee, police attacked trans activists who wanted to hold a press statement and march on 20 November 2024, the Trans Day of Remembrance.
Police prevented trans rights defenders gathered at Kolej Metro station from both marching and making a press statement. Officers interrupted the statement midway and attacked the activists. Four people, including one lawyer, were detained during the police intervention.
While footage captured the intense police violence, rights defenders chanted: “Murdered trans people are our rebellion.” Those detained were later released after giving statements and undergoing medical examinations.
Tags: human rights, media, life, lgbti
