Fistfight erupts at Istanbul Bar Association General Assembly: 15-minute recess called

At the 128th Regular General Assembly of the Istanbul Bar Association convened at Haliç Congress Center, tensions between lawyer groups turned into a fistfight following a speech by Independent Lawyers Group presidential candidate Arife Gökkaya Dinç; the general assembly proceedings were suspended for 15 minutes. Cumhuriyet newspaper reported the development.

Immediately after Dinç completed her speech, one group of lawyers unfurled an LGBT+ flag and chanted "Against hate, long live life." In response, another group countered with chants of "Down with the PKK"; the escalating tensions quickly turned into physical confrontation.

Following the de-escalation of tensions, the proceedings continued with speeches from presidential candidates. During a speech by Republican Force Union candidate Prof. Dr. Ümit Kocasakal, a Turkish flag was raised in the hall; some participants chanted "Happy is he who says I am Turkish" and "We are Mustafa Kemal's soldiers." The General Assembly Presidium issued a statement noting that the Turkish flag is a common flag for everyone and requested that it not be used during the election process.

Incumbent Bar President İbrahim Özden Kaboğlu, in his opening remarks, recalled that shortly after taking office they faced investigation and removal proceedings, emphasizing the principle that "those who come by election leave only by election."

Elections to determine the management of the bar, which has approximately 70,000 registered lawyers, for the 2026-2028 term will take place on Sunday, October 25. Nine candidates, including Kaboğlu, are competing for the presidency.