Rapper Ezhel Sentenced to 1 Year, 8 Months in Prison

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Rap artist Sercan İpekçioğlu, known as Ezhel, had his final in the lawsuit filed against him on charges of "buying drugs or stimulants for use" and "accepting, keeping and using drugs and stimulants" today (June 27).

Announcing its verdict, the İstanbul Anatolian 5th Penal Court of First Instance has ruled that İpekçioğlu shall be sentenced to 1 year and 8 month in prison for "drug use". His prison sentence has been deferred for 5 years.

'I might have been exposed to it abroad'

In his statement of defense, Sercan İpekçioğlu said that he did not use drugs, but he might have been exposed to it when he was abroad since drug used is permitted in some countries.

Reminded by the judge that drugs were detected in his blood, İpekçioğlu responded, "I go abroad very often. I might have been exposed to them due to the ones who used drugs in places, in the studios where I went. I did not use drugs."  Stating that no drugs were found in searches conducted at his house, the artist rejected the charges.

'It is legal in the Netherlands'

Lawyer Fuat Ekin stated that his client did not keep or use drugs, reminding the court board that drug use is legal in the Netherlands. He also argued that İpekçioğlu was exposed to marijuana smoke in cafes there and a low level of drug was detected in his blood for that reason.

Announcing its judgement, the court has sentenced Sercan İpekçioğlu to 1 year and 8 months in prison for "drug use". The court has suspended his prison sentence for 5 years.

He was arrested for 'promoting drug use'

Two separate lawsuits were previously filed against İpekçioğlu on the allegation that "he promoted and facilitated drug use" with the lines and images that he used in his songs. On May 23, 2018, he was arrested on the offense charged, to be released a month later on June 19. Both lawsuits filed against him on this charge ended in acquittal. (HA/SD)