Prison sentence for DEM Party mayor

The final hearing was held in the case filed against 20 defendants, including Hazir, who was elected mayor of Bahçesaray from the DEM Party in the March 31 Local Administration General Elections, regarding a statement made in the district on December 24, 2015.

Hazir, some of the defendants, and lawyers attended the hearing at the Van 4th High Criminal Court, while other defendants joined via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

After the prosecutor presented their opinion on the merits, the defendants and their lawyers made their defense, rejecting the accusations and requesting acquittal.

Having heard the defenses, the court panel sentenced Hazir and 6 other defendants to 3 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison for "committing a crime on behalf of an organization without being a member of a terrorist organization," and to 3 months and 22 days in prison for "publicly inciting to commit a crime."

The court decided to "defer the announcement of the verdict" regarding the 3-month and 22-day prison sentence for the defendants.

The court panel also sentenced 11 defendants to 6 years and 3 months in prison and 1 defendant to 5 years, 2 months, and 15 days in prison for "membership in an armed terrorist organization," and ruled for the acquittal of 1 defendant.

News Source: 12punto