Egitim-Sen Acquitted in Meeting Case

Turkey's Education and Science Workers Union (Egitim-Sen) Chairman Alaaddin Dincer and six unionists have been acquitted on charges of violating the country's Law on Meetings and Rallies by organizing a July 13, 2004 protest in capital Ankara.

Charges were brought against Dincer and the other unionists for "provoking the people to gather and rally illegally" after the union staged its demonstration in a different part of the city than what was originally applied for and permitted.

In the hearing conducted at the Ankara 13th Criminal Court of First Instance, the prosecutor read his opinion that according to the evidence gathered and camera recordings of the event, it could be established that conditions of a chargeable offense had not taken place and the unionists were not responsible for the rally spreading into the Sihhiye Square than be a limited protest at the Abdi Ipekci Park.

The presiding judge ruled that as conditions for a chargeable offense had not formed, both Dincer and his six unionist colleagues should be acquitted. (KO/II/YE)