Manager Ayşe Barım Sentenced to 12 Years in Government Overthrow Case

Court Issues Prison Term but Declines Arrest Due to Health Condition

Turkish manager Ayşe Barım has been sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison after being tried on charges of “attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Türkiye or preventing it from performing its duties.” The ruling was delivered at the final hearing held at the Istanbul Courthouse, concluding a high-profile legal process that has drawn national attention.

Despite the prison sentence, the court decided not to order Barım’s arrest due to her ongoing medical treatment. Instead, judges ruled that the existing judicial control measure, specifically a travel ban prohibiting her from leaving the country, would remain in effect.

The case had initially included a far more severe sentencing demand from prosecutors, making the final ruling a significant development in a closely followed judicial proceeding.

Prosecution Had Sought Aggravated Life Sentence

During earlier stages of the trial, the prosecution had presented its final opinion to the court, requesting that Barım be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for the charge of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government.

An aggravated life sentence in Turkey represents one of the most severe criminal penalties under the Turkish Penal Code. The prosecution’s demand reflected the gravity of the accusations brought against Barım. However, after evaluating the case file, evidence, and defense arguments, the court panel imposed a fixed-term prison sentence of 12 years and 6 months, rather than the life sentence sought by the prosecution.

The court did not publicly release detailed reasoning beyond the ruling itself at the hearing, but the outcome marked a substantial deviation from the prosecution’s original request.

Health Condition Influenced Custody Decision

One of the central considerations during the proceedings was Barım’s health status. She has been undergoing medical treatment, which significantly influenced the court’s approach to detention measures.

Previously, Barım had been released under judicial supervision by the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court, which imposed conditional release measures rather than continued imprisonment. She was released from prison on October 1 under judicial supervision.

However, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office objected to the release decision on October 3. Although the initial objection was rejected, the case file was later transferred to the Istanbul 27th High Criminal Court, which accepted the objection and issued a new arrest order against her.

Following the renewed detention order, Barım was referred to a hospital for medical evaluation. On October 22, the Forensic Medicine Institute (Adli Tıp Kurumu) prepared an official report stating that her treatment should continue under hospital conditions and that prison conditions were not suitable for her health situation.

Despite this medical assessment, the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court ultimately rejected the prosecution’s objection regarding detention conditions. In the final ruling phase, the court again refrained from imposing arrest, allowing Barım to remain free under judicial supervision while maintaining the travel ban.

Complex Legal Timeline

The judicial process surrounding Ayşe Barım has involved multiple court decisions, objections, and medical evaluations. Her initial release under judicial control, subsequent re-arrest following prosecutorial objection, and later medical review illustrate the procedural complexity of high-profile criminal cases in Turkey.

The charge of “attempting to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Türkiye” falls under serious offenses defined in the Turkish Penal Code. Cases involving such accusations are handled by high criminal courts and typically involve extensive evidentiary examination and procedural scrutiny.

While the court ultimately imposed a prison sentence, the decision not to enforce immediate arrest highlights the role of health-based legal assessments in detention decisions. Turkish law allows courts to consider medical reports when determining whether prison conditions are appropriate for a defendant.

What the Verdict Means

The 12-year and 6-month prison sentence represents a decisive outcome in a case that initially carried the possibility of aggravated life imprisonment. Continuing the travel ban ensures that Barım remains under judicial oversight as legal proceedings proceed, including potential appeals.

Under Turkish law, defendants have the right to appeal criminal court rulings to higher courts. Whether Barım’s legal team will pursue further appeals remains to be seen.

The ruling also demonstrates the balance courts attempt to maintain between criminal sentencing and humanitarian considerations related to health. By refraining from ordering an arrest while preserving judicial control measures, the court sought to enforce its decision in accordance with existing legal standards.

As the case progresses through potential appellate review, it is expected to remain closely monitored due to the seriousness of the charges and the legal principles involved.