Appeal hearing held against the closure of the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Association
The appeal hearing against the closure of the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Sports and Culture Association took place on Friday, February 21, at 11:00 AM in the Thrace Court of Appeals (Efetio) at the Komotini Courthouse.
During the hearing, the association’s legal representatives submitted the appeal file to the court. Now, all eyes are on the court's ruling, which will determine the association's future.
Statement from Association President Mümin Hasan
Following the hearing, Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Association President Mümin Hasan expressed his thoughts:
"We set out on this journey with great dreams, and look where we are now… Today, we were here to present our appeal against the closure lawsuit. I strongly believe the outcome will be in our favor—or at least, I want to believe that. I sincerely thank our institutions, organizations, members, and everyone who left their work behind to stand by us. I am also deeply grateful to our lawyer, Mr. İlker Çavuşoğlu, for his efforts and dedication since day one of our case."
Background: Why Was the Association Facing Closure?
The Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Sports and Culture Association had been facing the threat of closure by the Greek authorities due to various legal challenges regarding its charter and activities.
Greek authorities launched a legal process to revoke the association's legal status, citing alleged violations. However, similar to past cases involving Turkish minority associations in Western Thrace, the closure attempt appears to be part of broader restrictions against organizations linked to ethnic and cultural identity.
As with previous cases, the closure justification included vague claims such as “violations of public order.” However, in past rulings, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had ruled in favor of Turkish minority associations, recognizing their right to exist and operate freely. Despite these rulings, Greek courts have often resisted implementing ECHR decisions, leading to continued legal struggles for minority organizations.
Now, with the appeal hearing concluded, the final verdict will decide the fate of the Western Thrace Fenerbahçe Association.
