After participating in a demonstration in support of imprisoned Turkish lawyers, legal associate Servet Yildiz Stêrk has been subjected to harassment and threats on social media. The demonstration, organized by the Norwegian Bar Association's Human Rights Committee outside the Turkish Embassy in Oslo in November 2021, was the first of its kind in Norway where lawyers wore robes outside court venues.

Stêrk, who has Kurdish background and came to Norway from Turkey as a child, states that after the demonstration he has been labeled a "terrorist" and a "traitor" by individuals who support the Turkish regime. In a closed Facebook group, people have reportedly been encouraged to report him to Turkish authorities, including anti-terror units.

"Being subjected to such accusations endangers my safety. Beyond the fear of prosecution in Turkey, I fear the lynch culture prevalent among Erdogan's supporters—even here in Norway," Stêrk tells Nettavisen.

Maria Hessen Jacobsen, a lawyer and member of the Norwegian Bar Association's Human Rights Committee, dismisses claims that Stêrk misled Norwegian lawyers into participating in the demonstration. She notes that the committee has been following the situation in Turkey for several years and has been critical of the persecution of lawyers.

According to The Arrested Lawyers Initiative, more than 1600 lawyers have been arrested in Turkey following the coup attempt against President Erdogan in 2016, and 450 lawyers have been sentenced to a total of 2786 years in prison. The World Justice Project ranked Turkey in 2020 as number 123 out of 128 countries regarding basic human rights.

Stêrk has decided to report the harassment to the police, and the law firm he works for is considering legal action. He emphasizes that he will not be silenced: "I will stand up for our democratic values, and the fear of harassment and threats of prosecution in another country will not make any of us remain silent.