Reasoned decision in Kobani trial announced after 13 months: 'Acted with organizational intent'

In the reasoned decision of the Kobani trial, which was completed after 13 months, it was assessed that former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş "complied with the demands and instructions of the organization during the Kobani events process and surrendered his own will to the will of the organization."

Regarding former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ, it was stated that "it is understood that she is an organization member operating within the center of the political sphere, based on findings indicating her specific intra-organizational position, such as complying with the instructions of the terrorist organization, fulfilling organizational directives, surrendering her own will to the will of the organization, and participating in the HDP Central Executive Committee meeting as a spokesperson."

According to information reflected in the lobbies following the recent execution regulation and the new resolution process, the appellate process is expected to begin with the announcement of the reasoned decision in the case, which was concluded on May 16, 2024. 

Lawyers for the Kobani trial had been waiting for a year to apply to the higher court to request the reversal of the decision and the release of their clients.

In the 32,630-page decision of the Ankara 22nd High Criminal Court regarding the verdict, the justification for the sentences given to Demirtaş was explained in a total of 560 pages, and the justification for the sentences given to Figen Yüksekdağ was explained in a total of 298 pages.

COMMENTARY THAT IT 'PROVIDED MOTIVATION TO THE ORGANIZATION'

In the decision, it was claimed that Demirtaş's attendance at the funerals of some terrorist organization members "provided motivation to the organization, that he acted with organizational intent, and that instead of condemning violence, he created an image of legitimizing it," and therefore it was stated that "it cannot be evaluated within the scope of freedom of expression."

Regarding Yüksekdağ, it was assessed that "it is understood that she is an organization member operating within the center of the political sphere, based on findings indicating her specific intra-organizational position, such as complying with the instructions of the terrorist organization, fulfilling organizational directives, surrendering her own will to the will of the organization, and participating in the HDP Central Executive Committee meeting as a spokesperson."