Turkish Freemason Association Dispute Heads to Court

A leadership dispute at the Turkish Free and Accepted Masons Association has moved to court.

After association president Remzi Sanver was arrested in October 2025, senior member Ali Rıza Aral asked a court to call a general meeting to address what he saw as a leadership vacuum.

Sanver was released in June 2026, while Aral was later referred to a disciplinary body and barred from lodge activities and association premises during an inquiry.

Aral says the decision was unfair and argues that it followed his legal efforts to call a meeting and was made without hearing his defence.

A court has asked the parties to provide the association's rules and related records, and appointed three experts to review Aral's request for an interim measure.

The first hearing is set for 6 January 2027.