Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp released

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Turkish Medical Association (TTB) High Honorary Board member Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp was released at his first hearing today (February 10).

TTB High Honorary Board member and former Central Council member Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp had been arrested in Diyarbakır Type D Prison since November 23, 2020. While 54 pages of the 55-page indictment allege that the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) is an "illegal entity", it demands up to 15 years in prison for the physician.

As the indictment was accepted by the Diyarbakır 10th Heavy Penal Court, Dr. Gökalp had his first hearing today.

CLICK - 'We believe that Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp will be released'

While Gökalp attended today's hearing in person, her attorneys Ziynet Çelik, Barış Yavuz and Kerem Altıparmak were also present in the courtroom.

18 people were allowed to follow the hearing in Diyarbakır, including TTB Central Council Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı and Central Council members, TTB High Honorary Board Members, former TTB Central Council Chair Sinan Adıyaman, Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) former Co-Spokesperson and Society and Physician Journal Editor Onur Hamzaoğlu, TTB Second Chair Ali İhsan Ökten, Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions (KESK) Co-Chair Mehmet Bozgeyik, Health and Social Service Laborers' Union (SES) Co-Chair Selma Atabey and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Batman MP Necdet İpekyüz.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), the medical chamber chairs of Diyarbakır, İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Adana, Muğla, Eskişehir, Van, Antep, Mardin, Batman, Şırnak, Urfa and Mersin and the representatives of Diyarbakır-based NGOs waited outside the courtroom during the hearing.

After a summary of the indictment was read out, the statement of Gökalp was heard. Announcing its interim ruling, the court board has ruled that Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp shall be released. (AS/SD)