İHD Ankara co-chair acquitted of terror propaganda charges

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Human Rights Association (İHD) Ankara branch Co-Chair Fatin Kanat was acquitted in the case where he was standing trial for "making propaganda of a terrorist organization" where the indictment was based on activities of İHD including a Roboski massacre protest. 

HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, TTB General Secretary Vedat Bulut, author Fikret Başkaya and European Union Türkiye delegation were present in the final hearing of the case held yesterday in Ankara.

İHD Co-Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan participated in the hearing as Kanat's lawyer. 

"Prosecutor's opinion worse than police inquiry"

In the hearing, Kanat first said, "I really wish that the legal opinion read out by the prosecutor had a framework that is compatible with law in one way or another. Unfortunately, I have to underline that the opinion prepared has more problems in it than even the inquiry of the police."

Kanat told the court that the prosecutor was accusing him, holding a claim and prejudice that İHD in general and the İHD Ankara branch were carrying out their activities with the instructions of an organization.

Kanat said, "The claim that I am acting with the instructions of an illegal organization is an interpretation of ill will. I deny such accusations. As a well-known person in Ankara, and as branch chair of an NGO the purpose and scope of work of which is very clear, I have participated in many demonstrations, made many press conferences, participated in many others, protested unlawful events as a citizen, etc."

"I was there even if there is no police record that I was present. There is nothing more natural, more normal than me being present there."

"It is also very natural that I participate in demonstrations and protests called by legal political parties and democratic institutions, in order to make observations, to learn, and to report, independent from the detail if I agree with the content or not. There cannot be any video or voice recording showing that I am singing the march of or participating in the slogans of an [terrorist] organization, because it is a completely invalid claim that I have a responsibility other than the NGO that I am chairing or any illegal relations."

We will continue to commit this "crime"

Kanat reminded the court board that a Roboski massacre protest in front of the İHD Ankara branch was included in the indictment.

He said, "If this is a crime, it is a "crime" that we have been committing since 123 months starting from the date of the event. We will continue to commit this "crime" until those who have given instruction for this massacre and those who participated in this crime are brought to justice."

Kanat also said, "Keeping record of and reporting violations of rights is our raison d'être. We do not need instructions from any organization for this."

Why statement on Roboski a crime?

Levent Kanat, one of the lawyers of Kanat stated that three peaceful, democratic demonstrations were shown as crimes in the indictment.

He said, "The claim is that these demonstrations are held with the instruction of the organization but no causal link is sought. We cannot accept this. 34 people died in Roboski. Many people among the authorities of the country have stated that this was an unacceptable massacre and that those responsible should be punished. Why is it a crime, according to the prosecutor, to make a statement on the Roboski massacre?"

Lawyer Öztürk Türkdoğan also intervened. Telling that he is the Co-Chair of İHD at the moment and that İHD is an association carrying out its activities for 36 years legally and openly, Türkdoğan said, "There is no evidence of the propaganda crime. We are requesting acquittal from a crime for which there is no evidence."

The court announced at the end of the hearing that Kanat was acquitted with a decision taken unanimously since there were no elements of the crime. (AO/AS/PE)