67 people sentenced to prison at October 10 massacre commemoration

In Ankara, the 1st-anniversary commemoration for those who lost their lives in the ISIS bombing on October 10, 2016, was banned by the Ankara Governor's Office for security reasons, though it was announced that a symbolic group formed by non-governmental organizations would be allowed to hold a commemoration event. It was stated that families would be admitted to the area after a surname check, and family members with different surnames, relatives of the missing, and even the wounded were not allowed to enter the commemoration area. Police intervened against citizens who wanted to attend the commemoration, and many people were detained.

A lawsuit was filed against 67 of those who attended the commemoration on the grounds that they committed various crimes under the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations.

The reasoned decision was announced in the case heard at the Ankara 13th Criminal Court of First Instance.

ACQUITTAL FROM THE CRIME OF "VIOLATING THE LAW ON MEETINGS AND DEMONSTRATIONS"

The court decided to drop the case against one defendant, C.K., due to their passing, and acquitted 4 defendants on the grounds that it was not proven that they committed the crime of "participating in unlawful meetings and marches with weapons or similar criminal tools."

A total of 34 defendants, including 3 people who were acquitted of that charge, were sentenced to 10 months in prison for the crime of "resisting to disperse despite warnings and the use of force in unlawful meetings or demonstrations." The sentences of the defendants were converted into a judicial fine of 18 thousand liras.

32 PEOPLE SENTENCED TO 1 YEAR AND 4 MONTHS IN PRISON

The court sentenced 32 defendants to 1 year and 4 months in prison for the "crime of resisting to prevent the performance of duty." The 1-year and 4-month prison sentences for 29 defendants were suspended. The request for the suspension of the prison sentences of 3 of these defendants was rejected.

The court also imposed a judicial fine of 19 thousand 400 liras on 3 defendants who were sentenced for the crime of "resisting" for the crime of "insulting a public official due to their duty." One defendant was sentenced to a fine of 19 thousand 400 liras solely for the crime of "insult."

Among the defendants who were sentenced for other crimes, 38 were acquitted of the charge of "damaging public property."

News Source: 12punto