Verdict reached for defendants in May 1st case

The trial of 17 defendants accused of engaging in propaganda for the terrorist organization TKP/ML during the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day in Fatih, Istanbul, has been concluded.

Defense attorneys were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court. In their defense, the lawyers requested the acquittal of their clients.

ALL DEFENDANTS ACQUITTED

Following the defense statements, the court panel announced its verdict, ruling for the acquittal of each of the 17 defendants on the grounds that the elements of the crimes charged—'participating unarmed in unlawful meetings and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings,' 'engaging in terrorist organization propaganda,' and 'praising crime and criminals'—were not met.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office noted that on May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, 17 suspects attempted to enter Saraçhane Square at the security checkpoint near Pertevniyal High School in Fatih while carrying banners featuring the image of İbrahim Kaypakkaya, the founder of the TKP/ML, and two vests bearing his photograph.

The indictment had requested that the 17 suspects be sentenced to separate prison terms ranging from 3 years and 6 months to 10 years for the charges of 'participating unarmed in unlawful meetings and marches and failing to disperse despite warnings,' 'engaging in terrorist organization propaganda,' and 'praising crime and criminals.'

News Source: İHA