Evrensel daily’s former Dersim correspondent Kemal Özer was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison in the trial where he was charged with “membership in a terrorist organization”
Tunceli - Final hearing of the trial where Evrensel daily’s former Dersim reporter Kemal Özer faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charges was held at Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court today. Özer and his lawyers were present in the courtroom.
The judge asked the prosecutor whether he has any further statements at this stage. The prosecutor stated that he was not going to add anything to the final opinion he had presented in the previous hearing. The judge then gave the floor to the defense lawyers.
In their defense statement, lawyers stated that Kemal Özer was threatened by members of the concerned organization and was forced to take off with them. The lawyers hence demanded Özer’s acquittal. The court then asked Özer if he had any last remarks. Kemal Özer said that he was working as a journalist at the time, that he did not commit the acts mentioned in the indictment by his own will and that he was under serious threat at the time.
Following the statement from the defense counsel and the defendant, the court announced a verdict and sentenced Özer to 6 years and 3 months in prison for “membership in a terrorist organization.” Özer’s lawyers stated that they would appeal this decision.
