In the trial related to the detention of participants at the 9th Bosphorus Pride March, the prosecutor has requested punishment for all defendants, except for one who has since passed away, on charges of "failing to disperse despite warnings."
The incident in question took place on May 20, 2022, during the 9th Bosphorus Pride March at the Boğaziçi University campus, where 70 individuals were detained. The charges against them include "participating in unlawful assemblies and marches without weapons and failing to disperse voluntarily despite warnings," while two individuals are also accused of "resisting to prevent the performance of duty."
The seventh hearing of this case was conducted at the Istanbul 31st High Criminal Court due to the small size of the original courtroom at the Istanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance.
Observers from the Civil Space Studies Association, the U.S. Consulate, and the Istanbul Bar Association's Human Rights Center attended the trial. During the hearing, the prosecutor presented their final opinion.
While requesting the dismissal of the case against the deceased defendant, the prosecutor asked for the conviction of 69 individuals on charges of "failing to disperse despite warnings at unlawful assemblies and marches." Regarding the "insult" charge against a student, based on the utterance "You're a fascist," the prosecutor sought an acquittal, arguing that these words did not constitute the elements of a crime. However, the prosecutor recommended penalties for the same student and another one on charges of "resisting to prevent the performance of duty."
The court, accepting the defense lawyers' request for additional time to prepare, decided not to wait for a response from the Boğaziçi University Rectorate regarding the submission of video recordings from the day of the incident. The next hearing for the presentation of defenses against the prosecutor's final opinion is scheduled for October 4, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
