Hayri Demir, Ankara – The first hearing of 11 people being tried due to their critical statements over the military action of the Turkish state in Afrin, Syria. HDK (People’s Democratic Congress) Co-Spokesperson, Professor Onur Hamzaoğlu and Vice President of ESP (Socialist Party of the Oppressed) Fadime Çelebi were released after their defense statements. The defendants involved 4 elected MPs, therefore the court decided to ask the Parliament whether 4 of the defendants were members of parliament.
The hearing was held in Ankara 29th Criminal Court, the defendants SYKP (Socialist Party of Refoundation) Co-Head Ahmet Kaya, Greens and the Left Party of the Future Co-Chairs Naci Sönmez and Özlem Eylem Tuncaeli, DBP (Democratic Regions Party) Vice Co-Chair Hacer Özdemir were also present in the courtroom.
The hearing was observed by HDP (People’s Democratic Party) Co-Chair Sezai Temelli, HDP MPs, EMEP (Labor Party) Chair Selma Gürkan, İHD (Human Rights Organization) Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan, KESK (Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions ) Co-Chair Mehmet Bozgeyik, Green Party MPs from various European states, union representatives and discharged academics.
Fadime Çelebi was the first defendant to submit her defence in the hearing. Çelebi said that the statement in question was made in order to remark their anti-war stance, she added: “The Afrin operation is the killing of women and children. I, as a mother stated that children should not be killed. We are being tried here because of a meeting we conducted, to make a call for peace. I stand by my words, even if I receive a 5 year or a 5 thousand year prison sentence. Socialist Solidarity Platform (SODAP) Co Speaker Kezban Konukçu rejected all allegations of crime and clearly stated that the press statement they gave was an act of advocacy for peace.
HDK Co Speaker Prof. Dr. Onur Hamzaoğlu said: “I am here today, because of my duty as HDK Co Speaker. I am speaking now, not because I have faith in the judicial system which has systemically ignored evidence and considered opinions as evidence, but because I want my words to be written down.
'Anti-war stance is what makes us remain human'
Hamzaoğlu continued his defence statement: “We gave a press statement, based on our knowledge and experience regarding war. Unfortunately the result of this attack, has proven us right. Hundreds of people were killed, the city center was sacked. I am doctor and an expert on public health. I am aware that human's healthy state, is their natural state. When it comes to public health, we have to deal with clean water and sufficient foods, before we look into any illnesses. When people have no access to these, we fight for them. War, is considered to be the foremost threat against public health. War, is a problem of public health. Humans start wars, therefore it can be prevented. Opposing war, is a necessity, an obligation. The weapon of crime is conducted of 322 words, 21 lines and 7 paragraphs. It has the signatures of 9 institutions. The indictment does not involve any justifications regarding my detention. I would like to complete my statement by quoting these lines: ‘If one who finds the truth, abstains from telling it because others think differently, he/she is both a fool and ignoble.' Standing against war in the 21st century, is a necessity for us to remain human.”
Hamzaoğlu's speech received a thunder of applause.
Prosecutor requested the continuation of detention
Hearing went on for the whole day. At the end, prosecutor requested the continuation of detention of Hamzaoğlu and Çelebi. After the prosecutor's final opinion, court recessed for an interim decision. After the break, court ruled to release Hamzaoğlu and Çelebi, and lifted the judicial control order about other defendants. Hearing was adjourned until 29 January 2019.
