The first hearing of the case where 28 people have been charged with shouting the slogans “thief Erdoğan, murderer Erdoğan” during a march in the northwestern province of Bursa after Berkin Elvan’s death, was conducted yesterday.
28 people joined a rally in Bursa on the day Berkin Elvan lost his life, March 11. They were sued on charges related with insulting a public official for shouting slogans “thief Erdoğan, murderer Erdoğan.”
While the first hearing of the case was conducted yesterday by Mudanya 2nd Penal Court of Peace, four university students have also been among 28 defendants.
According to lawyer Aslı Evke Yetkin from Progressive Lawyers Association Bursa Branch, 23 defendants testified on yesterday’s trial where PM Erdoğan was listed as the plaintiff. The accused stated they participated the protest but did not shout slogans containing insult.
The court rejected the request of the accused’s lawyers for receiving the criminal record and statement of the plaintiff, the prime minister. The court, then, postponed the next hearing to June 30 for the examination of footage CD in which images of the march are recorded, and for the hearing of defendant testimonies.
Indictment
The indictment stated that suspects have overtly insulted a public officer by intentionally shouting slogans “thief Tayyip thief Erdoğan, murderer Erdoğan etc…” during a march on the day of Berkin Elvan’s death.
Prosecutors charged defendants with violating Turkish Penal Code Articles 125/1, 125/3.a and 125/4 respectively. (BK/MEV/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.
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