Is Turkey a state of law?

November 2, 2025

Turkey's judicial system is facing mounting criticism over its independence and fairness, highlighted by several recent cases that suggest political interference and institutional weakness. The high-profile murder trial of 15-year-old Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, which resulted in maximum sentences for two teenage defendants, unfolded under intense public pressure and raised questions about judicial autonomy. Simultaneously, opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu faces arrest on corruption and newly added espionage charges that critics view as politically motivated persecution.

Who is affected

15-year-old murder victim Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi and his family
Two teenage defendants (B.B. and U.B.) sentenced to 24 years imprisonment
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu (arrested and in pretrial detention)
TELE1 Editor-in-Chief Merdan Yanardağ (arrested)
İmamoğlu's campaign manager Necati Özkan (in pretrial detention)
Republican People's Party (CHP) leadership and opposition-led municipalities
LGBTQ+ individuals in Turkey
Journalists covering LGBTQ+ issues and human rights
Minority communities
Kurdish-majority regions experiencing uneven law application
Women who could be targeted under the proposed legislation

What action is being taken

Mass protests are ongoing following İmamoğlu's arrest in March
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office is conducting waves of detentions and investigations targeting opposition-led municipalities and CHP leadership
The court is rejecting appeals for İmamoğlu's release
Police have arrested multiple individuals connected to the espionage investigation
Rights groups are emphasizing threats posed by the proposed 11th Judicial Package
MP Kezban Konukçu has submitted a parliamentary inquiry regarding anti-LGBTQ+ clauses in the draft legislation
MP Sevda Karaca is condemning the proposed reforms at press briefings

Why it matters

The developments in Turkey's judicial system represent a fundamental threat to democratic governance and rule of law. The judiciary appears to be operating under political pressure rather than as an independent institution, with legal tools being marshalled for political persecution of opposition figures rather than impartial justice. The proposed legislation targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and journalists demonstrates how law is being reshaped to control identities and suppress dissent rather than protect rights or address genuine criminal activity. This erosion of judicial independence, combined with politically motivated prosecutions and discriminatory legal reforms, creates a dangerous precedent where the legal system becomes a weapon of state control rather than a protector of constitutional rights. The disconnect between Turkey's constitutional identity as "a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law" and the actual functioning of its institutions threatens fundamental freedoms and could lead to increased violence and social exclusion against vulnerable groups.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices