The trials of the members of the investigation commission at Tassıada

In this study, which we prepared as a master's thesis, we aimed to examine the written and oral defenses made by the members of the Investigation Commission— one of the controversial practices of the Democrat Party era—during the Constitution Violation Case heard at the Yassıada High Court of Justice. The Investigation Commission, established to examine the activities of the CHP and opposition press, emerged during the final years of the Democrat Party's ten-year rule and remained active for more than a month. Despite its short-lived existence, it became one of the most controversial actions of this period and was cited as one of the justifications for the May 27, 1960, military intervention. The commission drew strong reactions from the opposition, the press, and many legal experts, even causing discomfort within the Democrat Party itself. After May 27, the commission members faced charges such as "violating the constitution" and "serving a dictatorship." As a result of the trials, they received various sentences, including execution, imprisonment, and exile. Other cases in which commission members were tried included "Unlawful Acquisition of Wealth," "Abuse of Office," "Arming the Public," and the "Kayseri Incidents" cases. A significant number of commission members were legal experts. They asserted their commitment to the constitution, rejected accusations of dictatorship, and declared their belief in the rule of law, stating that they were not acting under the orders of any individual. The statements made by the Investigation Commission members about themselves and the commission during the Constitution Violation Case hold significant value in understanding the Democrat Party government and the events leading up to May 27.