Academic Chris Stephenson Acquitted

Click to read the article in Turkish

Academic Chris Stephenson who was detained and sued on charge of “terrorist organization propaganda” for having Newroz notice of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in his bag in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse has been acquitted in the first hearing.

Stephenson appeared before judge at İstanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court.

The court asked the prosecutor of dictum. The prosecutor stating the concrete elements of the crime wasn’t constituted demanded the acquittal. Subsequently, the chief judge returned acquittal.

Speaking to bianet after the hearing, Prof. Dr. Yaman Akdeniz from İstanbul Bilgi University, Faculty of Law noting that the indictment shouldn’t have had to be admitted to begin with spoke as follows:

“It is understood that this lawsuit is brought to intimidate academics to not criticize the government and not support Kurdish movement”.

“Şebnem, Erol, Ahmet are imprisoned unjustly”

Stephenson said the following in his press statement he issued in front of the courthouse following the acquittal:

“Justice has been served. I am glad but this is a bittersweet happiness. Justice is needed by others too. Case of many others who came here to support are continuing.

“Şebnem, Erol and Ahmet too are imprisoned unjustly. Our goal is to achieve peace. The cities are being burned down, people get trapped under rubble. Our aim was peace, that’s why we came here. They are trying to have this be forgotten by these investigations.

“We will not forget about peace; we will continue to long for it”.

What had happened?

Bilgi University academic member, Chris Stephenson was taken into custody at İstanbul Justice Palace in Çağlayan on March 15 where he came to support three academics who were detained because of Academics for Peace/İstanbul group’s declaration.

Stephenson was detained in front of the courthouse at around 9:15 a.m. on charge of having Newroz invitations with signature of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Provincial Presidency.

He was released on the day (March 16) he appeared before prosecutor but taken to Kumkapı Repatriation Center over demand for deportation. Stephenson left for England on the same day.

İstanbul Provincial Immigration Management Directorate declared on March 18 that Stephenson is not prohibited to return to Turkey. Stephenson saying he will “gladly return to Turkey” to bianet, then came back to Turkey. (EA/TK)