In the same year, clashes resumed between the PKK and military forces in and around Diyarbakır, Mardin and Hakkari, resulting in the death of many civilians. On November 28, 2015, Elçi held a press conference in front of the historical Four-Legged Minaret in Diyarbakır’s Sur district in order to stop these armed conflicts and to prevent historical monuments from being damaged by the clashes. Shooting broke out while he was referring to the fact that the conflict had damaged the historical minaret, of which he was standing in front. Elçi was shot and died, recorded by cameras.42 The Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment five years after the killing. Claiming that there had been a shootout between three police officers and two PKK members in the area where Elçi had died, the prosecutor, without relying on any ballistic examination, claimed that two PKK members might have shot Elçi.43 On the other hand, the indictment requests prison sentences up to 6 years for the three police officers who are also standing trial for “causing death by culpable negligence.”44 The case is still ongoing.45 42 Case concerning the killing of Tahir Elci and lack of effective investigation into his death (28.11.2020; Sessizkalma): https:// www.sessizkalma.org/en/case-concerning-the-killing-of-tahir-elci-and-lack-of-effective-investigation-into-his-death/ 43 Ibid. 44 Tahir Elçi (Sessizkalma): https://www.sessizkalma.org/en/defender/tahir-elci-2/ 45 Diyarbakır 10. Assize Court, File No. 2020/3943 E. THE LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ASSOCIATION OF LAWYERS FOR FREEDOM In 2016, a combined investigation was launched against members and executives of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and the executives of the Association of Solidarity with Prisoners’ Families (Tutuklu Aileleri Dayanışma Derneği - TUAD). The lawyers were accused of being coordinators of the PKK. Approximately 10 lawyers were taken into custody 24 A DEFENSELESS DEFENSE FOREWORD 25