World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Turkish lawyer acquitted over challenge to headscarf-wearing judges
An Ankara court unanimously acquitted lawyer Alperen Demirdiş of two criminal charges.
The case followed a 2024 hearing in Ankara, where Demirdiş represented a defendant accused of drug dealing.
He asked for two headscarf-wearing judges to step aside, arguing that their religious symbols conflicted with secularism.
Prosecutors charged him with abuse of office and publicly insulting religious values, and sought prison sentences.
The court found the legal elements of the crimes were not met, and acquitted him of both charges.
The ruling ends this case against Demirdiş; the sources report no further legal steps.
Ankara 11th High Criminal Court unanimously acquitted lawyer Alperen Demirdiş of two charges linked to his objection to judges wearing headscarves.
The court said the legal elements of the alleged offences had not been established.
The charges were abuse of office and publicly insulting religious values embraced by part of the population.
Demirdiş had challenged the presiding judge and another judge during a 2024 hearing, arguing that their headscarves were incompatible with secularism.
- Who
- Lawyer Alperen Demirdiş was acquitted by Ankara 11th High Criminal Court.
- What
- He was acquitted of abuse of office and publicly insulting religious values embraced by part of the population.
- When
- The ruling was reported on 22 October 2026.
- Where
- Ankara, Turkey.
- Why
- The court ruled unanimously that the legal elements of the alleged offences had not been established.
Prosecution
Defence
Legal responsibility
Prosecution
The prosecution sought prison sentences for Demirdiş on two charges.
Defence
The defence argued that his objection was part of his professional role and sought acquittal.
Demirdiş challenged the presiding judge and another judge during a hearing in a drug-trafficking case.
An investigation and prosecution followed, with prosecutors seeking prison sentences on two charges.
Ankara 11th High Criminal Court unanimously acquitted Demirdiş.
- Defendant
- Alperen Demirdiş
- Court
- Ankara 11th High Criminal Court
- Earlier hearing
- 14 May 2024, Ankara 1st High Criminal Court
- Charges
- Abuse of office; publicly insulting religious values embraced by part of the population
- Ruling
- Unanimous acquittal
3 sources
What people are saying
The Republic of Turkey is a secular state governed by the rule of law. The independence of the courts is guaranteed by the Constitution. I challenge the presiding judge and member judge serving with religious symbols.