On trial for insulting the President: Dilruba case adjourned

Dilruba Kayserilioğlu, who was previously arrested and later released following comments made during a street interview, is now on trial on charges of 'insulting the President.' The case, in which she faces up to 4 years in prison, was adjourned to October 31 at the request of the defense attorneys for more time.

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On trial for insulting the President: Dilruba case adjourned

Dilruba Kayserilioğlu, who was arrested on August 12 on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" due to her remarks regarding the access ban on Instagram and released 17 days later, appeared before the 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance this time on charges of "insulting the President."

Kayserilioğlu is being tried with a request for up to 4 years in prison.

HEARING HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

While it was observed that members of the press were not admitted to the courtroom during the hearing, the defendant's lawyers requested time for their defense. The court adjourned the hearing to October 31 and lifted the judicial control condition on Kayserilioğlu.

'I AM INNOCENT'

Speaking to members of the press after the hearing, Dilruba Kayserilioğlu emphasized that she was innocent, stating the following:

"I expressed my criticisms within the scope of freedom of expression and I still stand by them. My case is ongoing, and it is as if there are no other crimes, the judicial process is being operated through me. I am innocent and I believe I will be acquitted. As a Turkish citizen, I stated my opinions, and we will carry this process to the end."

'ACQUITTAL IS HIGHLY PROBABLE'

Kayserilioğlu's lawyer, Hüseyin Yıldız, also stated that the hearing was adjourned to October 31 and used the following expressions:

''It is not very common in the Turkish legal system to get a hearing date in such a short time. We believe that my client expressed her statements within the scope of freedom of expression and we believe that her acquittal is highly probable. There is freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and the European Convention on Human Rights. Administrators need to be more open to criticism.”

'WE HAVE NOT LOST OUR FAITH IN JUSTICE'

Yıldız gave the following response to a question regarding the second hearing being scheduled for a near date:

“Normally, hearing dates are set two months later. However, the process moved quickly here. Both we and my client have not lost our faith in justice. The Republic of Turkey is a state of law, and we believe that the judges will make decisions in accordance with their conscience.”

News Source: 12punto