NALİN ÖZTEKİN
Adnan Vural, a former health worker dismissed by emergency decree (KHK) and a member of the Health and Social Service Workers' Union (SES) Ankara Branch, is on trial for his participation in a peace declaration organized by the White Flag Initiative. At the second hearing in Ankara’s 2nd High Criminal Court, the prosecutor demanded Vural’s conviction on charges of “membership in a terrorist organization” and “spreading terrorist propaganda.”
Details of the trial
The hearing was attended by Vural, his lawyers—Çiğdem Kozan, Kerem Altıparmak, and Öztürk Türkdoğan—and members of SES and the Ankara branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD), who were there in solidarity.
The prosecutor, in their final opinion, reiterated the charges against Vural but failed to address the defense’s arguments or evidence. Defense lawyer Kerem Altıparmak criticized this approach:
“The prosecutor has presented a copy-paste version of the indictment as their final opinion, in clear violation of the Criminal Procedure Code. This opinion disregards the defense arguments and fails to engage with the evidence. We reject it outright.”
Lawyer Çiğdem Kozan argued that the prosecutor’s opinion should be rewritten, asserting that it did not adequately reflect the facts of the case.
Background on the charges
The charges against Vural stem from his participation in a 2015-2016 peace declaration during a period of intense conflict in Turkey. The declaration called for an end to violence and sought a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue.
The prosecution argues that Vural’s involvement constituted support for a terrorist organization, despite the event being a public call for peace.
Next steps
The court granted the defense team’s request for additional time to prepare their responses to the prosecutor’s final opinion. The trial has been adjourned until Feb. 6, 2025.
Broader context
Vural’s case highlights the risks faced by activists, union members, and human rights defenders in Turkey, where public statements or advocacy for peace are often framed as criminal acts under anti-terrorism laws. Rights groups have criticized these prosecutions as efforts to stifle dissent and silence voices advocating for conflict resolution and human rights.
