"The General Secretariat of the Presidency requested it and, accepting the request, the İstanbul Bar has given me a 'reprimand.' Thank you, the İstanbul Bar! Is this how you defend freedom of expression?"
This is how Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair and lawyer Eren Keskin has criticized the reprimand issued for her following a disciplinary investigation launched by the İstanbul Bar Association.
Eren Keskin was convicted of "insulting the President" as per the Article 299 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) on May 30, 2017.
The Department of Legal Services of the Presidency's General Secretariat sent a written notification to the İstanbul Bar Association, informing the association that the verdict against Keskin was now final.
Shortly afterwards, the İstanbul Bar Association launched a disciplinary investigation against lawyer Eren Keskin. It has then notified the lawyer that it has punished her by issuing a reprimand against her.
Keskin has denounced the decision on her social media account, criticizing the bar's attitude about freedom of expression.
During her trial as well, Eren Keskin underlined that her words were within freedom of expression and the freedom to express opinions.
The verdicts foreseeing 17 years in prison for Eren Keskin as part of several cases are awaiting examination by the Court of Cassation.
Most recently, she gave her statement at the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office over her tweets from five years ago, when the Resolution Process for the Kurdish question was still in place.
