MLSA – Sinan Aygül, President of the Bitlis Journalists Association, and his brother Ahmet Aygül have been charged with "threatening" the bodyguards of Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani, including one police officer. The charges, filed by the Tatvan Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, carry a potential prison sentence of two to five years.
The indictment accuses journalist Sinan Aygül and his brother Ahmet Aygül of threatening police officer Engin Kaplan and municipal employee Yücel Baysalı, who are also relatives of Mayor Geylani. The indictment also includes accusations that Ahmet Aygül insulted Baysalı via text messages.
Sinan Aygül is charged with "threatening multiple people," while Ahmet Aygül faces charges of both "threatening multiple people" and "insulting through an audio, written, or visual message."
Background of the case
On June 17, 2023, Sinan Aygül was attacked in the street by Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani's bodyguards, police officer Engin Kaplan and municipal employee Yücel Baysalı. Following the incident, the attackers were suspended and detained but were released after their first court appearance.
In a separate case, Sinan Aygül was sentenced to 2 months and 5 days in prison after being sued by the attackers for "insult." He was also issued a restraining order under the Law on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women.
In the assault case against his attackers, a verdict was reached on January 25, 2024. The attackers were sentenced to 1 year, 5 months, and 15 days in prison for "intentional injury with a weapon." However, the pronouncement of the verdict was deferred (HAGB), meaning the conviction will not be entered into the record if the offenders do not commit another crime within a specified period.
