Ten former members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Central Executive Committee (MYK) in Turkey were handed five-month prison sentences each for a statement published on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The sentences were subsequently suspended.
The trial, which revolved around the Turkish Penal Code's Article 301, concerning "insulting the Turkish nation, the state of the Republic of Turkey, the institutions and organs of the state," stemmed from a 2021 statement regarding the Armenian Genocide made by these former HDP MYK members. The fourth hearing of the case was conducted recently.
Şaziye Köse, one of the politicians being tried, attended the hearing in person, along with lawyers Kenan Maçoğlu, Senem Doğanoğlu, and Umut Vedat Açar. Some of the defense also joined the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).
Lawyer Kenan Maçoğlu argued that the statement in question falls within the scope of freedom of expression, noting that their defense statements were presented during the investigation phase and that the prosecution's opinion did not sufficiently consider freedom of expression.
Lawyer Senem Doğanoğlu pointed out that dozens of similar cases had resulted in acquittals, emphasizing that the statement was within the bounds of freedom of expression. Doğanoğlu also reminded the court of a recent acquittal in a case against the Diyarbakır Bar Association on a related matter.
Following these statements, the judge announced the decision to sentence 10 individuals to five months in prison each, with the sentences being suspended.
The case was initiated following a complaint after the statement was published, with the investigation commencing upon authorization by the Ministry of Justice. The indictment, prepared by prosecutor Mehmet Aykut Cihangir on November 30, 2022, cited the statement titled "Confront the shame of the Armenian Genocide!" published on the HDP's official website on April 24, 2021, as evidence.
The individuals charged in the case were Alp Altınörs, Celalettin Can, Emin Orhan, Hüseyin Taka, Naci Sönmez, Samet Mengüç, Sultan Güneş Özcan, Şaziye Köse, Tuncer Bakırhan, and Veli Saçılık. The file pertaining to Tuncer Bakırhan, a former MYK member and now co-chair of the Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), was separated in a previous session due to his election as a member of parliament.
