Duygu Kıt
The trial of journalist Nuray Atmaca and 14 others, who are accused of "terrorist propaganda" for performing a traditional Kurdish dance during the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) primaries in Dersim, was postponed to Feb. 28, 2025, to allow the prosecution to present its final opinion. The third hearing was held at the Tunceli 1st High Criminal Court.
Among the defendants, Cemile Ataş, Besime Gök Süer, and Leyla Aslan were present at the hearing, which was observed by representatives of the DEM Party’s Dersim branch and a Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) monitor.
During the session, the defendants repeated their previous defense statements, arguing that dancing, regardless of the language of the music, is not a crime. In earlier hearings, they had stated that the event in question was a celebratory gathering and that they were simply taking part in a festivity. “We do not accept that performing a traditional dance constitutes a propaganda offense. This is our most basic right. We reject the accusations,” they had said. The defendants requested acquittal, while their lawyers stated that they would present their defense after the prosecution’s final opinion.
Background of the case
The case stems from an incident during the DEM Party’s primaries for the March 31, 2024, local elections, where 15 individuals were accused of engaging in "terrorist propaganda" for dancing to Kurdish music.
The defendants include DEM Party Dersim Co-Chair Esma Ataş, DEM Party Central Committee member Beybun Aslan, Jiyan Aslan, Pir News Agency journalist Nuray Atmaca, Cemile Ataş, Besime Gök, Nazlı Çelik Öz, Barış Göktepe, Özer Laçin, Sevim Sağlam, Leyla Aslan, and three others identified by their initials (D.B., Y.Ö., and N.Y.).
