The death fast initiated by Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD)member lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal has reached a critical stage. Ebru Timtik being held in Silivri No 9 Prison is on the 180th day of the death fast while Aytaç Ünsal, being held in Burhaniye Type T Prison is on the 152nd day of the death fast.

 

20 lawyers from ÇHD and People's Law Office were taken into custody in accordance with the statement given by an anonymous witness on September 12, 2017 and 17 were arrested with 'terrorism' charges by the court.

 

All 17 lawyers who appeared before judge after a year, were released at the first hearing. However, upon the objection of the prosecutor, the same court board decided them to be arrested again. Following this decision, the court board was replaced with another.

 

As a result of the trial, on 20 March 2019, the court sentenced Ebru Timtik to 13 years and 6 months and Aytaç Ünsal to 10 years and 6 months for alleged 'membership in the organization'. 18 lawyers who were tried within the scope of the file were sentenced to 159 years in total, while the lawsuit file in which eight lawyers are imprisoned, is now in the Supreme Court.

 

Many actions and activities have been organized for Timtik and Ünsal, who turned their hunger strike actions into a death fast with the demand for a “fair trial”. 400 lawyers from Turkey and 356 lawyers from 20 different countries called for their release and acquittal.

 

THEY HAVE WORKED IN HIGH PROFILE CASES

 

Timtik and Ünsan have worked in high profile cases like Soma Massacre case, Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça case, Berkin Elvan case, Festus Okey case (he was killed by the police under custody), Engin Çeber who was killed by torture in prison, Şemdinli case, and many other rights violation cases.

 

SHE BECAME A LAWYER TO FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE

 

Ebru Timtik, who is in the critical phase of the death fast, started to stand against injustice at a young age. Born in 1978, Timtik is originally from the district of Dersim Hozat. Timtik, the eldest of the 4 children of a poor family, was born and raised in Elazig. She lost his father when she was 7 years old.

 

Being the first born of the family, she worked and studied at the same time. Timtik worked in school cafeterias as a child to be able to look after her mother and her siblings. She worked in factories in the summers when she was in high school. She stood against the injustices in her workplaces at all times. She finally chose to be a lawyer to be a humans' rights defender.

 

HER AUNT TOLD ABOUT HER

 

Telling about the difficult life struggle of Timtik, her aunt Yıldız Deniz stated that her nephew was a book worm who loves to research and read and educates herself. Pointing out the fact that Timtik has lead the way for the female children of the family to be sent to school, Deniz said her nephew who is accused of being a terrorist today has never hurt a fly.

 

'LET THEM BE HEARD'

 

Deniz said: "My nephew is a justice fighter. She is demanding fair trial today. Who did my nephew kill? What did she do wrong? She is not that kind of person like they tell. She fought against injustice since she was a child. And being a lawyer, she continued to stand with those who suffered from injustice. I don't want justice advocates to die when they demand justice. They must stop this injustice at once before one of them dies. Everyone in this country demanding justice must be heard. Hear the voices of my nephew Ebru and her friends."

 

SHE HAS DIFFICULTY IN SPEAKING

 

Stating that Ebru is now 40 kilos on the 180th day of the death fast, Deniz shared the information that she has mouth sores, bodymarks and she experiences difficulty in speaking.

 

Her sister Barkın Timtik who is arrested in scope of the same file stays with Ebru as a companion.

 

 

MA / Semra Turan