Conscientious Objector Özkan Faces Court

Yesterday (5 February) was the first hearing in the case of conscientious objector Doğan Özkan at the Üsküdar 1st Criminal Court of Peace. He is facing charges for discouraging people from doing military service. The hearing was postponed until 17 March to give Özkan more time to prepare his defence.

As part of Human Rights Week, the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) staged a conscientious objection campaign in front of the Selimiye barracks in Üsküdar, Istanbul on 12 December 2004. Doğan Özkan read a press statement on behalf of the association.

Judge: "This might lead to a trial"

Özkan told bianet that the hearing, which was supposed to start at 11.50 am, was delayed unti 3 pm. After the judge had listened to his defence, he was told: “This defence is problematic, it might lead to a trial. Why don’t you change it?”

Özkan, however, has said that he will not change his defence. (BÇ/AG)