Facing up to 7 years and 6 months in prison: Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu defends himself using Erdoğan's own words

An indictment has been prepared demanding up to 7 years and 6 months in prison for actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and 19 others, who were detained and subsequently released for supporting a boycott call initiated by CHP officials following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19.

"IT SEEMS JUSTICE DOES NOT WORK THE SAME FOR EVERYONE"

Üzümoğlu, who is facing trial with a prison demand, based his defense on a statement previously made by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking to Diken, the actor stated that he learned about the trial later and said the following:

"To be honest, I am having difficulty understanding this. I am being tried with a demand for seven and a half years in prison for doing what many others did, which is repeating the statement made by President Tayyip Erdoğan in a tweet sent by the Presidential Communications Directorate on January 6: 'One of the effective methods to bring those who sell expensive products to their knees is a boycott. Our greatest trump card against those who engage in opportunism is to use our freedom not to purchase.'

It seems justice does not work the same for everyone. Not even for two people who commit the same act. But I have never regretted what I did, what I said, or my stance."

"EVEN TALKING ABOUT FREEDOM CAN BE A CRIME"

Continuing his remarks, Üzümoğlu made the following assessment regarding the process:

"I will do whatever everyone who is struggling inside against unjust trials and resisting for bright tomorrows is doing. We are going through times when even talking about freedom can be a crime. We are living in days where expressing an opinion, making a comment, stating a view, or quoting from history can be punished with sentences of unknown duration. I hope this inconceivable order ends soon."

News Source: 12punto