Latest news with #Bar
Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Criminalisation Of Istanbul Bar Assoc & Dismissal Of Executive Board, A Chilling Attack On The Independence Of Lawyers
GENEVA (30 May 2025) – UN experts* today expressed alarm at the criminal charges against 10 members of the Istanbul Bar Association, and its President, İbrahim Kaboğlu and the arrest of board member Firat Epözdemir, following the Bar Association's statement calling for an effective investigation into the deaths of two journalists in a conflict zone. The President of the Bar Association and its members were charged with disseminating 'terrorist propaganda' and 'public dissemination of misleading information'. 'Criminal prosecution in retaliation for the exercise of free speech is an alarming assault on freedom of expression and lawyers' rights to practice their profession and express their views in line with international standards,' the experts said. 'This attempt to silence the Bar Association by weaponising the law is an appalling violation of international law and sets a troubling precedent.' 'It is particularly unsettling that the criminal investigation follows a statement that called for accountability and justice for journalists killed while doing their work,' they said. 'Efforts to fight impunity, particularly for killings of journalists, should be upheld and not criminalised.' On 21 December 2024, the Istanbul Bar Association issued a statement condemning the deaths of two journalists reportedly killed in a Turkish drone strike in Northern Syria on 19 December 2024. The statement stressed that the targeting of journalists in conflict zones is a violation of international humanitarian law and called for an effective investigation into the deaths of the two journalists. On 22 December 2024, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched a criminal investigation against the Bar's leadership, on grounds of disseminating terrorist propagandaand 'publicly disseminating misleading information'. The criminal hearing is scheduled for 28 and 29 May 2025 at the Marmara prison (formerly Silivri prison). Following a lawsuit filed by the same Prosecutor, on 21 March this year, the Istanbul 2nd Assize Court issued a ruling to remove the elected leadership of the Istanbul Bar Association under Article 77/5 of the Attorneyship Law, claiming it had exceeded its professional mandate. The decision mandates the dismissal of the Bar's president and executive board and orders new elections. 'The executive body of a bar association must be able to perform its functions without external interference,' the experts said. They warned that the weaponisation of misinformation and terrorism-related charges to punish and silence calls for justice and accountability was a misuse of the criminal justice system and a clear breach of international law and standards. 'Under international law, counter-terrorism legislation must be sufficiently precise to prevent its use to unjustifiably limit the exercise of fundamental freedoms,' they said. 'This is a case of legal harassment that should be dismissed at the earliest opportunity,' the experts said. 'We call for the immediate release of Firat Epözdemir, who has been detained since 25 January in connection with these accusations.' The experts recalled that the free exercise of the legal profession was crucial to ensure access to justice, oversight of state power, protection of due process and judicial guarantees. 'States must guarantee that those who practice law can do so free from intimidation, obstacles, harassment or interference,' they said, 'their function is key to the right to a fair trial'. The experts have been in touch with Türkiye about their concerns. *The experts: Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Ms. Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association.
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
In memory of a legal luminary
ON 2 August 2024, my father, Harpal Singh Grewal, passed away. In one of the most poignant traditions of the Malaysian Bar, a special proceeding known as a 'Reference' is held before the High Court to honour members of the Bar who have departed. It is a solemn yet dignified occasion where the judiciary, fellow lawyers, and family members come together to remember, reflect upon, and celebrate the lives and contributions of those who have left us. On 23 May 2025, my family and I had the honour of moving the Reference in his memory at the Kuala Lumpur High Court. It was a moment filled with pride and poignancy as I stood before the Court to deliver a tribute to the man who not only shaped Malaysian jurisprudence but also shaped my life. I share here the speech I delivered that day—not merely to recount his achievements, but to celebrate the values he stood for: courage, compassion, and integrity. It is my humble hope that his story will continue to inspire those who follow the path of law and service.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Outrage over Leissner's ‘inadequate' sentence in 1MDB case
PETALING JAYA: Widespread criticism has emerged over the two-year sentence imposed on former Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner for his role in the 1MDB scandal, with many arguing it fails to reflect the gravity of the crime. Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab described the punishment as inadequate and warned of its broader implications for justice and deterrence. He said while the Bar respects the independence of the US judiciary and acknowledges the court's characterisation of Leissner's actions as 'brazen and audacious,' many Malaysians reasonably view the sentence as insufficient given the scale of the wrongdoing. 'An apology cannot undo the damage. Justice in cases of this magnitude must reflect not only accountability but also deterrence. 'Lenient outcomes risk eroding public confidence and failing to prevent future abuses of financial systems,' he said when contacted yesterday. Leissner, formerly Goldman Sachs' South-East Asia chairman, had pleaded guilty in 2018 to conspiring to violate the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and participating in a money laundering scheme. He later cooperated with US prosecutors, becoming a key witness in the conviction of his former colleague Roger Ng. Ng has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to launder money and violate an anti-bribery law. Ng, the former head of investment banking for Goldman in Malaysia, was convicted in Brooklyn and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but had been brought here in 2023 to assist in investigations. Too short: Mohamad Ezri (left) and Johari were among those who expressed their disappointment. US-based journalist Tom Wright, who co-authored Billion Dollar Whale detailing the 1MDB saga, also criticised the sentence. In a post on X, Wright said the outcome 'is no justice' and argued that Leissner's cooperation in Ng's prosecution did not justify such a lenient term. 'That is punching down,' he wrote. In his newsletter Whale Hunting, Wright questioned whether justice had truly been served, especially in relation to Goldman Sachs' role in raising US$6.5bil in bonds for 1MDB, a fund set up by ex- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, with the help of fugitive financier Jho Low. 'Not by a long shot,' Wright remarked. Echoing similar concerns, Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who chairs Malaysia's 1MDB asset recovery task force, described the sentence as 'too short.' Speaking to Reuters, he said: 'Considering he is one of the masterminds facilitating the 1MDB scandal, he should be given the maximum jail sentence.' Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) founding director Cynthia Gabriel also weighed in, describing the two-year sentence as 'a light slap on the wrist' that does not match the gravity of the financial crimes committed. Gabriel stressed that the scale of theft and money laundering, involving a leading financial institution like Goldman Sachs must not be taken lightly. The 1MDB scandal, which saw billions siphoned from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, triggered investigations across several jurisdictions and remains one of the largest financial scandals in global history.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
USA TODAY's 10BEST declares this southeast beach the best in Florida. Do you agree?
Need ideas for your summer weekend trips? How about relaxing on some of the top beaches in the state. USA TODAY's 10BEST released its winners for its "Readers' Choice Awards," including its ranking of the best beaches in Florida. The beaches were selected by a panel of travel experts and the final nominations were voted on by readers. "From the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf Coast, the Sunshine State boasts 825 miles of beaches, many of which are ranked among the best on the planet," 10BEST writes. "And an average of 230 days of sunshine a year make Florida's shoreline hard to resist for vacationers looking for sun, sand, and sea." Readers have officially declared it — Delray Beach is the best in the state. Housed in Palm Beach County, it is a popular tourist destination with boutique shops and restaurants. "Nestled between Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Delray Beach, known as the 'Village by the Sea,' boasts a serene coastline with crystal-clear blue waters just steps from its vibrant downtown. With 2 miles of pristine sand and natural dunes, the beach was gifted to the city in the 1800s to ensure year-round public access," 10BEST writes. It also notes Delray Beach is one of just two beaches in the U.S. to earn the prestigious Blue Flag award. Delray Beach Clearwater Treasure Island Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Stuart Sanibel St. Pete Beach Siesta Key Destin St. Augustine Just 218 miles North of Florida's best beach sits the best beach bar in the entire country — Daytona Beach's Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar. "This laid-back beachfront bar features daily live music, plus karaoke and DJs to keep you consistently entertained. Their 32-ounce tropical Bacardi buckets are renowned, there's a huge selection of draft and bottled beer, and the crab cakes, fish and chips, and other freshly caught seafood dinners are the perfect accompaniment to the gorgeous ocean views." Along with the Ocean Deck, two other Florida spots made the top 10: Ocean Deck Restaurant and Beach Bar - Daytona Beach, Florida Flora-Bama - Pensacola, Florida Tiki Hut at Beach House - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Reunion Kitchen + Drink - Santa Barbara, California Copper Bar's Mauna Kea Beach Hotel - Waimea, Hawaii Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian - Honolulu, Hawaii Sloppy Joe's on the Beach - Treasure Island, Florida The Crow's Nest - Santa Cruz, California House Without A Key at Halekulani Hotel - Honolulu, Hawaii Edge of Waikiki - Honolulu, Hawaii This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida beaches: USA TODAY 10BEST readers declare this one the best
![[UPDATED] High Court dismisses Najib's ex-lawyers' suit against Malaysian Bar](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2Fcourt_hammer1_1748515292.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] High Court dismisses Najib's ex-lawyers' suit against Malaysian Bar](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] High Court dismisses Najib's ex-lawyers' suit against Malaysian Bar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar's statement criticising Datuk Seri Najib Razak's former legal team over their handling of his final SRC International appeal at the Federal Court did not amount to defamation, the High Court heard. Judge Roz Mawar Rozain made the ruling before dismissing a defamation suit filed by senior lawyer Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim and two others against the Bar and its former president, Karen Cheah Yee Lynn. Zaid, along with Liew Teck Huat and Reuben Mathiavaranam, had represented the former prime minister in his final appeal at the Federal Court in August 2022, replacing Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah. The trio filed the suit over Cheah's media statement titled "Abuse of Process Brings Disrepute to Our Justice System", issued on Aug 9 that year, claiming it had tarnished their reputations. In her ruling, Roz Mawar said the plaintiffs failed to establish that the words, in their natural and ordinary meaning, were defamatory in law. She said the reputational impact of the plaintiffs' conduct had already crystallised prior to the publication, due to their public statements and the unfolding events at the Federal Court. "The plaintiffs themselves had, prior to the publication, made multiple public disclosures including press interviews, social media postings, and commentaries admitting their lack of readiness, criticising prior counsel, and seeking adjournments which were ultimately refused by the apex court. "Their reputational position had already been shaped by facts in the public domain. "The impugned statements in the press release did not further lower or injure their standing in the eyes of reasonable members of society," she said. Roz Mawar said the plaintiffs' claim of conspiracy to injure also failed, as there was no evidence of any agreement or concerted effort by the defendants to cause harm. "No evidence was adduced to establish a concerted agreement between the defendants. "If the complaint is based on a publication said to be defamatory, a separate claim of conspiracy cannot stand on its own," she said," she said, adding that the plaintiffs' claim for breach of statutory duty also had no merit. The court said Cheah, who was then the Bar president, had acted within her statutory remit under Section 42(1)(d) of the Legal Profession Act in making public comments on matters of concern to the legal profession. "There is no actionable breach, and no specific compensable loss was proven to have flowed from the alleged breach," she added. Najib, on July 25, 2022, appointed Zaid's law firm to replace Shafee & Co in the final appeal of the SRC International case at the Federal Court, with Datuk Hisyam Teh Poh Teik as lead counsel in place of Shafee. However, the apex court on Aug 23 upheld the conviction and sentence of 12 years' imprisonment and a RM210 million fine imposed on Najib, who was found guilty of embezzling RM42 million in funds belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. Najib's sentence was later reduced to six years, and the fine lowered to RM50 million, following his petition for a royal pardon on Sept 2, 2022.
