Eylem Sonbahar
All 10 defendants, including journalist Zeynep Kuray, were acquitted in a case concerning their participation in a demonstration held in support of former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Leyla Güven. The Istanbul 39th Criminal Court of First Instance ruled that the elements of the alleged crime were not present.
The trial stemmed from a protest on May 10, 2019, in Istanbul’s Eminönü district. The demonstration was organized to support Leyla Güven, who was on a hunger strike at the time to protest prison isolation conditions. While covering the protest, journalist Zeynep Kuray and nine others were detained and later charged with "violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations."
Court hearing and acquittal
The seventh hearing of the case was held without the defendants in attendance. However, defense attorneys Vedat Ece and Atilla Bahçıvan were present in court.
The prosecutor presented their final opinion, requesting the acquittal of all defendants due to the absence of evidence proving the alleged offense. Defense attorney Vedat Ece supported the prosecutor’s request, stating, "We agree with the opinion. This was a case that unnecessarily burdened the court for years."
After a brief recess, the court announced its decision, acquitting all defendants on the grounds that the necessary elements of the alleged crime had not been established.
Background on Leyla Güven
Leyla Güven, a former HDP MP representing Hakkari, gained significant attention in 2019 for her hunger strike protesting the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Güven’s hunger strike and the protests it inspired were part of broader tensions in Turkey regarding Kurdish political rights and government crackdowns on opposition groups.
The trial of those detained during the May 2019 protest has lasted nearly three years, drawing criticism for what some have described as judicial overreach targeting peaceful demonstrations.
