CHP responds to Kaftancıoğlu's sentence: 'We are strong, you are weak, Erdoğan'

Photo: CHP

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Members of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) gathered in front of their İstanbul provincial headquarters late yesterday (May 12) to protest the prison sentence given to Canan Kaftancıoğlu, the İstanbul head of the party.

The crowd welcomed Kaftancıoğlu with slogans, "We will prevail by resisting."

"We are fine. Nothing will happen," she told the people.

CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu, who had called for the rally after the court verdict was announced, addressed the crowd with Kaftancıoğlu on one side and İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on the other.

"I am addressing the rulers, Erdoğan. You are a hypocrite. You are an opportunist. You are a manipulator. But your oppression and insolence is ending now," Kılıçdaroğlu remarked.

"Erdoğan, do you hear the approaching thunder? This noise is the noise of the people whose neighbors you have sold to refugees. This noise is the nose of the retirees whom you have left starving.

"... Erdoğan, we know that everything will be fine despite you and this oppression will end. All cruelty arises from your weaknesses. You are weak, we are strong. You live in a glass house, we are the people standing shoulder to shoulder.

"Don't forget, Erdoğan, the voice of the people embodied by Canan is greater than you. Canan is brave. Canan is ours."

Yargıtay kararına istinaden basın açıklaması gerçekleştiriyoruz. https://t.co/fFfmP0hFxo

— Canan Kaftancıoğlu (@Canan_Kaftanci) May 12, 2022

The sentence

Yesterday, the Court of Cassation upheld three of five sentences given to Kaftancıoğlu because of her social media posts.

In September 2019, the politician was sentenced to a total of 9 years and 8 months in prison on charges of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization," "insulting a public official," "insulting the president," openly degrading the state of the Republic of Turkey, " and "inciting people to animosity and hatred."

An appeals court upheld the sentences in June 2020.

The Court of Cassation upheld the sentences of 1 year, 6 months and 20 days for "insulting a public official" and "openly degrading the state of the Republic of Turkey." It also upheld the sentence for "insulting the president" but changed its duration from 2 years and 4 months to 1 year and 9 months.

It overturned the sentence of 1 year and 6 months for "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and of 2 years and 8 months for "inciting the people to animosity and hatred.

The court also imposed a political ban on Kaftancıoğlu. (AEK/VK)