Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan protests midnight prison transfer

Mehmet Pehlivan, the detained lawyer for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, has criticized his sudden midnight transfer between prisons. On October 2, 2026, Pehlivan was moved from the Karatepe High Security Prison in Çorlu to the Kandıra F Type Prison in Kocaeli.

Pehlivan described the transfer as “torture and oppression” rather than a routine procedure, noting that no legal justification was provided. He argued that the move, occurring at approximately 03:00, effectively undermines his right to defense as the transfer occurs amidst ongoing hearings for the İBB case. He also noted that the relocation prevents him from seeing his daughter, with whom he has scheduled visits.

Political figures and legal organizations have reacted strongly. Murat Emir, a group deputy chairman, called the midnight operation a violation of the prohibition against ill-treatment and the right to a fair trial. Ekrem İmamoğlu also condemned the move, describing it as a “cruel” act of exile. The Lawyer Rights Group (AHG) and candidates for the Istanbul Bar Association have called for solidarity, highlighting that the transfer forces Pehlivan to travel hundreds of kilometers by prison vehicle to attend daily court sessions.