Detention of international delegation – Statement of French lawyers

English translation of the declaration of the french lawyers 

Paris, February 20, 2026

Press Release

Arrest in Istanbul of Six Activists Investigating Detention Conditions in Turkey

Mr. Jean-Pascal Graziani, whom we represent as legal counsel, arrived in Istanbul on February 18, 2026, to document human rights violations within Turkish prisons. He was arrested yesterday along with five other European activists who were attending a meeting with lawyers from the People’s Rights Office.

Mr. Graziani was participating in an observation mission aimed at investigating the practice of so-called “well-type” prisons, where political detainees from the Turkish opposition are held in cells deprived of all natural daylight.

Although their passports have been confiscated and the activists have reportedly been informed that they will be deported, we have had no news of our client for the past 24 hours. At this time, the exact conditions of his detention remain unknown.

We therefore call on the French consular authorities to immediately deploy all protective measures provided for under international law in order to:

ascertain the conditions of Mr. Graziani’s detention;

guarantee his effective access to legal counsel;

ensure respect for his fundamental rights;

obtain prompt clarification regarding the legal grounds for his arrest.

Documenting detention conditions is a matter of democratic vigilance worldwide; we remain mobilized to secure the release of those who strive to carry out this work and call on public opinion to stand against the methods employed by Ankara.

Raphaël Kempf Romain Ruiz