Abdullah Zeydan sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison

Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan has been sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison in a case heard at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court. The charges brought against Zeydan included "aiding an armed terrorist organization without being a member" and "propagating for a terrorist organization through the press."

The court reached a new verdict after evaluating the decisions made in previous cases regarding Zeydan and the Supreme Court of Appeals processes.

HOW DID THE LEGAL PROCESS DEVELOP?

Zeydan's legal process began in 2018. The Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court had previously sentenced Zeydan, a former HDP Hakkari MP, to a total of 8 years, 1 month, and 15 days in prison, consisting of sentences of 5 years and 3 years, 1 month, and 15 days.

This decision was initially upheld as lawful by the 4th Criminal Chamber of the Gaziantep Regional Court of Justice. However, the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned the decision and requested a retrial.

In the retrial held on January 6, 2022, Zeydan was given the same sentence, but his release was ordered taking into account the time he had already spent in custody. However, the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals also overturned this decision.

In the hearing held today at the Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court, the court ruled to sentence Zeydan to 3 years and 9 months in prison.