First statement from Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Zeydan after receiving a 3-year-9-month prison sentence

Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan has been sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison on charges of "attempting to knowingly and willingly aid an organization." Following the decision, co-mayors Zeydan and Neslihan Şedal made a statement in front of the municipality building.

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Regarding the decision, Abdullah Zeydan said the following:

"Those who could not cope with the people of Van through democratic means on March 31 have once again usurped the will of the people of Van through judicial plots and traps. For us, this decision is null and void and is political. Even though the testimonies of the soldiers and the expert report were in our favor, the decision was made under political instruction. This decision is an attempt to usurp the will of 1 million 200 thousand people of Van. In the face of this, we will protect democracy, justice, and the will of the people to the end. The injustices we are facing today will happen to you tomorrow as well. That is why we call on everyone to claim the will of the people and to stand against lawlessness. We also call out to the people of Van; let us protect our honor, our will, and our dignity, and let us not give these usurpers an opportunity."

ZEYDAN’S LAWYER AKTAR: IT IS A POLITICAL DECISION MADE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A TRUSTEE

On the other hand, following the sentencing of Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan, a statement also came from his lawyer, Mehmet Emin Aktar. Aktar said, “The decision is not one to punish a crime, but a decision to punish a political stance.”

Making a statement in front of the courthouse after the decision, Zeydan’s lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar said, “It is strange that the court wrote a letter after we submitted the power of attorney to the file, requesting security measures to be taken. This showed what kind of decision it would make. Writing to the prosecutor's office and asking for security to be provided shows in itself that it had already made its decision. The fact that our defense was not taken violates both our right to a fair trial and our right to defense. It casts a shadow over the independence of the judge. Without allowing an objection to the right of refusal, the pre-determined decision was announced without a break. With this attitude, the court has confirmed my claim that was previously announced to the public. It is not a decision to punish a crime, but a decision to punish a political stance. I hope this decision does not create consequences directed at the will of the people.”

APPEAL PROCESS WILL BE INITIATED

Adding that they would appeal the decision, Aktar noted, “It will likely be overturned once again. In the last Court of Cassation reversal decision, an investigation was requested. It was seen in the investigation that there was no crime. If Abdullah Zeydan were not a Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor, the court would have acquitted him. It is a political decision made for the trustee issue; it cannot be explained legally. It is a completely political decision. It looks like a result announced for a trustee, I hope it does not lead to this result.”

News Source: 12punto