EYLEM SONBAHAR
Bekir Aslan, known online by the name “Basel,” was released from pre-trial detention on Thursday after spending 77 days behind bars over social media posts deemed by prosecutors to be “terrorist propaganda.”
The first hearing in Aslan’s trial was held at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court. Aslan had been detained during a protest organized by the Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) in Istanbul’s historic Gülhane Park on April 10 and was formally arrested the following day, on April 11, based on his online activity.
The charges stemmed from his retweet of a song by the leftist folk band Grup Yorum and a photo he posted of a banner reading “DEV-GENZ,” referencing a fictional student group often used satirically online. He was brought to the courtroom under gendarmerie escort.
In his defense statement, Aslan argued that his posts fell within the scope of freedom of expression and thought, and that they did not amount to terrorist propaganda. He said the "DEV-GENZ" banner post was meant as satire.
"The case began with irregularities"
Defense attorney Öykü Ilgın Kavlak opened her statement by stating, “This case began with procedural violations.” She argued that the evidence was collected unlawfully, in a manner inconsistent with legal procedure: “We are facing illegally obtained evidence. Evidence was gathered by working backward from the suspect, which is procedurally improper. We are aware that such evidence cannot form the basis of a verdict. With this indictment, our client has been unlawfully held in pre-trial detention for 77 days. We ask for this injustice to end.”
Another attorney, Özgür Urfa, said the posts cited in the indictment did not constitute a crime and that Aslan was being targeted for his visibility and political stance on social media. “One of the strangest parts of the indictment is the inclusion of a post saying, ‘We are waging a people’s war against imperialism.’ This is perhaps the first time in a courtroom that fighting against imperialism is being criminalized,” he said. “He was arrested because he is known on social media and is politically outspoken. The elements of the alleged crime do not exist. We request his release.”
The prosecutor also requested Aslan’s release, with the condition of a travel ban.
Following a brief recess, the court ordered Aslan’s release under judicial control measures, including a ban on leaving the country and a requirement to regularly sign in at a police station. The judges also referred the case to the prosecution for preparation of a final opinion on the merits and scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 16.
