Precedent Decision by ECtHR Regarding ‘Terrorism Propaganda’

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The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has issued its final ruling regarding the case of Emrah Sarıtaş and Mesut Geyik, who have faced prison sentence on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" due to the slogans that they chanted during the concert of Grup Yorum.

In its decision dated June 19, the ECtHR stated,

"Given that the slogans in question are well-known and stereotyped leftists slogans and that they were chanted during a concert - a peaceful public gathering - they cannot be interpreted as a call for violence or an uprising." 

The Court also added that the slogans in question cannot be considered a propaganda for a terrorist organization and thereby fall within the scope of freedom of expression.

Turkey has been sentenced to pay an immaterial compensation of 10 thousand Euro in total for violating the right to freedom of expression.

The slogans chanted by Sarıtaş and Geyik were as follows:

"Revolutionary prisoners are immortal", "Revolutionary prisoners are our honor", "Mahir, Hüseyin, Ulaş; Fight until emancipation", "Martyrs of revolution are immortal" and "Victory on mountains, emancipation at the front; long live victory, long live resistance".

"It sets precedent for all cases"

The attorney of Sarıtaş and Geyik, Barış Yıldırım, who is also the Chair of Dersim Bar Association, has stated that the related decision of the ECtHR sets a precedent for all cases filed with charges of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization".

Yıldırım has also added that the courts in Turkey should take the ruling of the ECtHR into consideration in similar investigations and court cases. (AS/SD)