People's Assembly of Turkey: 'The sentence given to Barış Terkoğlu is null and void'

Journalist Barış Terkoğlu was sentenced to 2 years in prison in a trial where he was accused of 'targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism' following a complaint by Deputy Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek.

The People's Assembly of Turkey issued a statement regarding the sentence given to Terkoğlu.

The following statements were included in the announcement:

We present to your attention the statement of the People's Assembly of Turkey regarding the sentence given to Barış Terkoğlu.

The sentence given to Barış Terkoğlu is null and void

Journalist and author Barış Terkoğlu, one of the founding members of the People's Assembly of Turkey, has been sentenced for the crime of “targeting individuals involved in the fight against terrorism.” 

Terkoğlu has firmly taken his place on the front lines of the struggle for enlightenment and freedom during the AKP years, and has paid the price for this in court corridors and prisons. There is no crime in the case that concluded yesterday, but there is also no possibility that the ruling powers of the system will tolerate justified, timely, and striking criticisms! 

We know that neither dear Barış will bow down, nor can Turkey's path to enlightenment be blocked. Our country's progressive, revolutionary, and patriotic intellectuals are seasoned against such attacks and even heavier ones. 

Dictators and their courts come and go, but the struggle for enlightenment continues. This is what makes this sentence null and void.

News Source: 12punto