Banner Case at the Parliament
The parents of the teacher Meral Dönmez and university student Gülşah Işıklı that were arrested 4.5 months ago for unfurling a banner saying "We do not want the missile shield, we want a democratic high school", were at the Parliament.
Republican People's Party (CHP) Tunceli Deputy Hüseyin Aygün held a press conference about the allegations of torture to Işıklı and Donmez in Kandıra Prison. The mothers of the two women were present at the conference and they both alleged that their daughters were exposed to physical and verbal torture in the prison.
"We want to be in peace with our neighbor countries, that's why my daughter was against the missile shield in Malatya. The people who do not defend this must be ashamede" said Işıklı's mother Cennet Güneş.
"My daughter is a university student and she fell behind in the class. She has brain tumor. If something happens to her, I'll hold the state responsible" added Güneş.
"Our daughters are unjustly arrested and accused of 'being a member of terrorist organization' for no reason" said mother Sose Dönmez.
Following her, Deputy Hüseyin Aygün said: "There are so many people whose rights are violated. No one believes in justice any more. Dönmez and Işıklı are on trial for 'being a member of armed terrorist organization', however there's no evidence that they ever resorted to violence."
Background information
A 25-year-old teacher, Meral Dönmez who graduated from Kocaeli University Faculty of Education in 2009 and was giving private lessons waiting to be appointed by the state; and Ankara University student, 23-year-old Gülşah Işıklı unfurled a banner saying "we do not want the missile shield, we want a democratic high school" on December 3, 2011 from the window of a law firm. They were taken into custody after Lawyer Hurşit Berk called the police. The women were taken under custody on December 5, 2011 and imprisoned at Kandıra No.2 T Type Prison.
The evidence showed in the indictment against the two women were their participation to the press conference held in Kocaeli Sabri Yalım Park and shouting slogans like "Neither the U.S. nor the EU, fully independent Turkey" and "No to missile shield"
They are on trial at Istanbul 15. High Criminal Court With Special Powers, under Article 220/6 of Turkish Penal Code "committing crimes on behalf of the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) without being a member of that organization" and the Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "making a person deprived of liberty, violation of freedom of operation, violation of the inviolability of the workplace"
The next hearing will be held on July 30th, meaning a 7,5 months of imprisonmnet for the two women.(AS)