Union of Turkish Bar Associations selects new President

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

The head of the Ankara Bar Association Metin Feyzioğlu (R) has been selected as the new President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations May 26. AA photo

Metin Feyzioğlu has been selected as the new President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations May 26, following its general congress held over the weekend.

The head of the Ankara Bar Association generally won the support of delegates from the western provinces, and received 209 votes. The outgoing president, Vedat Ahsen Coşar, received 159 votes, generally from delegates from the eastern and southeastern provinces.

Feyzioğlu thanked his predecessor and vowed to show an "equal distance" to every bar. "A new era is beginning starting [tomorrow]. The Union of the Turkish Bar Association will not remain silent about the violation of the right of any attorney or any practice contrary to the rule of law," Feyzioğlu said in an address after the announcement of the vote results.

The 44-year-old lawyer is known as outspoken a critic of the Ergenekon and Balyoz (Sledgehammer) coup cases. He was chosen the head of the Ankara bar in 2010, when he also replaced Coşar.