Up to 7.5 years in prison requested for Ayşenur Arslan

The investigation into the remarks made by presenter Ayşenur Arslan on Halk TV on October 2, 2023, regarding the suicide bombing attack carried out in front of the Ministry of Interior in Istanbul, has been completed.

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that the suspect Arslan made remarks that constituted propaganda for a terrorist organization, and that these remarks were of a nature to create chaos and public outrage, and served as a guide and provided ideas for potential actions to be carried out by such organizations.

''IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO MAKE PROPAGANDA FOR ANY TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THE PKK''

The indictment, which also includes the statement of the suspect Ayşenur Arslan, noted that she believed her words were misunderstood and that she said, ''Although my sentences may have exceeded their intended purpose at the point reached, the point I wanted to express and point to was this; the thought occurred to me that it could be a message directed at the newly appointed Minister of Interior following the operations recently carried out under his coordination that dealt heavy blows to criminal organizations. I thought that some criminal groups might be sending a message. It is out of the question for me to use any expression that glorifies or legitimizes terrorism during my statement. It is impossible for me to make propaganda for any terrorist organization, including the PKK, which I frequently describe as a terrorist organization without hesitation. My words were misunderstood.''

REQUEST FOR UP TO 7.5 YEARS IN PRISON

In the prepared indictment, it was requested that the suspect Ayşenur Arslan be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months to 7 years and 6 months in prison for the crime of 'making propaganda for a terrorist organization.' The trial of the suspect will begin in the coming days at the Istanbul High Criminal Court.