Banner trial adjourned: 'Defending secularism is not a crime'

Six SOL Party members who hung a banner reading "A secular, revolutionary, democratic republic against sharia, fascism, and darkness" on a wall in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece district were sentenced to house arrest after being taken into custody. 

The first hearing for the 6 individuals, who face up to 30 years in prison, was held yesterday at the Küçükçekmece 15th Criminal Court of First Instance.

'WE DECLARED THAT AN ACQUITTAL SHOULD BE GRANTED IMMEDIATELY'

Regarding the 6 SOL Party members who appeared before the judge at the Küçükçekmece 15th Criminal Court of First Instance yesterday for defending the principle of a "Secular, Revolutionary, Democratic Republic," Demirdöğen stated, "An indictment clearly contrary to the constitution and criminal procedure law has been prepared against our friends on charges of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility,' and the trial is being conducted on this basis. Furthermore, 3 of our SOL Youth members among those on trial are also accused of 'damaging property' due to graffiti related to secularism."

On the other hand, Attorney Deniz Demirdöğen said, "Our members had been kept under house arrest measures for approximately 3 months within the scope of these unlawful accusations. In the first hearing held yesterday, the defendants presented their defenses before the court; as their defense attorneys, we expressed that defending secularism cannot constitute a crime and that the ongoing trial is clearly contrary to the Constitution, established judicial precedents, and the international conventions to which we are a party. For this reason, we declared that an acquittal should be granted immediately."

STATEMENTS REQUESTED UNDER THE CHARGE OF INSULTING RELIGIOUS VALUES

According to Attorney Demirdöğen, the presiding judge "added a new one to the existing legal violations by also requesting the defendants' statements" within the scope of the charge of "insulting religious values." 

Although the court adjourned the hearing to October 27, it was reported that as a result of the objections made, the decision was taken to lift the house arrest measure that had been ongoing for 3 months.

'THE REAL CRIME IS REMAINING SILENT IN THE FACE OF CALLS FOR SHARIA'

Stating that for the first time in the history of the Republic of Turkey, individuals defending the principle of secularism are being tried in this manner, Demirdöğen said, "This trial, initiated upon the instruction of palace advisor Oktay Saral, targets not only our 6 friends but all segments of society that uphold secularism, democracy, and republican values.

Defending secularism is not a crime. The real crime is remaining silent in the face of calls for monarchy, the caliphate, or sharia."

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU