The new Turkey
1 Academic Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison;
Announcement of Verdict Deferred

17-Mar-2019 12:06

3 January 2019:
Tansu Pişkin


One academic has been sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison. The court board has ruled that the pronouncement of the verdict shall be suspended.

Trial of academics, who have been charged with "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" for having signed the declaration entitled "We will not be a party to this crime" prepared by the Academics for Peace, continued in İstanbul Çağlayan Courthouse today (January 3).

The hearing of one academic was held at the 36th Heavy Penal Court.

Making a statement in response to the opinion as to the accusations previously announced by the Prosecutor's Office, the academic said, "I signed the declaration with humane feelings. I did not sign it with any kind of political thoughts. I received a good education. I do not get instructions from anyone, I make my decisions with my own free will."

Attorney Eren Kaptan also presented the defense as to the accusations and requested that the academic be immediately acquitted.

Announcing its verdict, the court board ruled that the academic shall be sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" as per the Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law (TMK).

The announcement of the verdict has been deferred.

The Court Board consisted of Presiding Judge Hakan Özer; members Onur Engin Deniz, Sümeyye Nur Özparlak; and Prosecutor Hasan Adalı.

Source: https://bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/204117-
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