A Turkish court on Tuesday lifted a travel ban on two executives from the country’s leading business group who appeared at the first hearing of their trial, stemming from their criticism of the government earlier this year, the Bianet news website reported.
The İstanbul court’s decision concerns Orhan Turan, chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD), and the head of TÜSİAD’s advisory council, Ömer Arif Aras. The travel ban was imposed on them after their brief detention in late February.
Their detention and charges, filed against them in March, stem from remarks they made during TÜSİAD’s general assembly in February.
Prosecutors have accused Turan and Aras of “publicly disseminating misleading information” and “attempting to influence the judiciary,” arguing their remarks during the meeting undermined public trust in the judicial system.
At TÜSİAD’s monthly general assembly on February 13, the group broke its long silence about what many call a democratic backsliding in the country and the erosion of the rule of law, in a move that attracted the government’s anger.
Turan and Aras talked about mounting economic and political risks in the country and pointed to rising government intervention in the private sector, executive control over the judiciary and worsening economic hardship.
They said judicial investigations into opposition political figures create concern in society and damage democracy.
Opposition politicians are facing a series of investigations, detentions and arrests in what critics say is a government effort to stifle dissent and hurt their electoral prospects.
The Turkish government dismisses accusations of political interference in the cases and claims the judiciary is independent.
Aras said in his defense in court on Tuesday that the charges were baseless and that he merely exercised his right to free expression. “As a 70-year-old banker, this is the first time I’ve stood before a judge,” he said. “My remarks were taken out of context. I referred to widely known incidents and offered my views, not classified information.”
Aras also said the travel ban prevented him from carrying out his professional duties and hurt Turkey’s economy and requested both his acquittal and the lifting of the restriction.
Turan, who also testified, rejected claims that his speech was unlawful or intended to mislead the public. “Throughout my 65 years, I have tried to contribute to this country through business and civil society,” he said. “I made objective economic assessments, rooted in the rule of law.”
The prosecutor has requested prison sentences ranging from one year, 10 months to five years, six months for each defendant. Defense lawyers said the indictment was vague and that the selected statements lacked legal basis when taken out of context. They also requested additional time to prepare final arguments.
The hearing drew attention from TÜSİAD board members, German consulate officials in İstanbul and a number of journalists, although mobile phones were banned from the courtroom.
The İstanbul’s 28th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled to lift the overseas travel restriction and excused both men from attending future hearings. The trial was adjourned until September 23.
TÜSİAD was once viewed as a powerful force in Turkish politics, particularly in the early 2000s when its statements carried significant weight in shaping government policy. However, since a coup attempt in 2016, the association has largely avoided direct confrontations with the government, as many business leaders feared economic and legal repercussions.