The trial of lawyer A.D., who was prosecuted for requesting the recusal of a judge wearing a headscarf, continued at Ankara 11th High Criminal Court. At a hearing before Ankara 1st High Criminal Court on 14 May 2024, A.D. had requested the judge’s recusal, arguing that serving as a judge while wearing a headscarf violated the principle of secularism. Prosecutors filed a case against the lawyer on charges of “misconduct in office” and “publicly degrading religious values embraced by a section of the public.” At the hearing on 14 October, the prosecutor sought a prison sentence of between six months and two years for the first charge and between six months and one year for the second. A.D. denied the charges and said his statements were covered by defense immunity. His lawyer also requested acquittal. The court granted time to prepare the defense and adjourned the hearing until 22 October.
14 October 2026
Haber Ankara