Turkish judge removed with trivial reasons after daring to challenge Erdogan's candidacy

A judge who dared to challenge President Erdogan's third candidacy in the recent presidential election in Turkey found himself dismissed from his position, with seemingly trivial reasons such as “using bold font in official correspondence” cited as grounds for his removal.

The decision to remove judge Ahmet Cakmak was taken on July 6 by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK,) causing a stir in the legal community. Cakmak's lawyer said that they would exercise their legal rights and criticized the continuation of the "sect-like tradition" within the HSK.

The controversy surrounding Judge Ahmet Cakmak began when he took the unprecedented step of filing a petition against Erdogan’s candidacy. Subsequently he has been subjected to two disciplinary actions and several charges were brought against him. These charges included using bold font in official correspondence, stating in a petition that he would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and emphasize that his file consisted of events that resembled a comedy show.

As per the Judges and Prosecutors Law, a person who receives two disciplinary actions involving relocation will be dismissed from their profession.

Mustafa Karadag, the lawyer representing Cakmak, expressed his disapproval of the HSK's decision:

"Immediately after the holiday, they hastily issued the decision. We reached this stage as a result of arbitrary transfer penalties without any stated grounds or legal justifications, solely based on inappropriate incidents initiated by an inspector. The HSK will remain on the dark and dubious side of judicial history due to the investigations against Judge Ahmet Cakmak. The HSK lacks a conscience and adopts a hostile attitude. It is under the command of the government."