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The Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation against the former Chair and Administrative Board members of the Diyarbakır Bar Association on charge of "openly degrading the Turkish nation, State of the Republic of Turkey and the bodies of the state" as per the Article no. 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).
Speaking to bianet about the investigation, former Chair of the Diyarbakır Bar Association Ahmet Özmen has stated that the activities of the association for the last two years have become subjects to the investigation and added that regardless of who chairs the Diyarbakır Bar Association, it will continue fulfilling its duty of protecting human rights.
In the investigation, the statements and reports released by the association have been referred to as "a number of statements contrary to law."
The investigation has been launched upon the complaints submitted to the then Prime Minstry [Presidency] Communication Center (CİMER).
The Ministry of Justice has granted the permission for both the investigation as per the Article 301 of the TCK and trial of the lawyers. The lawyers have been notified about the investigation and summoned to depose.
Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article no. 301 A person who publicly degrades Turkish Nation, State of the Republic of Turkey, Grand National Assembly of Turkey the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the judicial bodies of the State shall be sentenced a penalty of imprisonment for a term of six months to two years. A person who publicly degrades the military or security organisations shall be sentenced according to the provision set out in paragraph one. The expression of an opinion for the purpose of criticism does not constitute an offence. |
"Human rights activities subjected to investigation"
Lawyer Ahmet Özmen has stated that he has not made his deposition yet and added that they have been informed that the investigation has been launched as per the Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Regarding the investigation, Özmen has stated:
"The investigation covers the activities of the bar association between the years 2016 and 2018. The statements for the press made by the association regarding the current legal, political and social issues have become subjects of investigation. It has been alleged that these activities as well as the remarks in the statements constitute crimes.
"In other words, all human rights activities that were undertaken by the administrative board of a bar association for two years have been scanned and turned into subjects of investigation.
"We did not do anything clandestine. Reports, statements for the press and speeches are already open to public, these were all statements that were made to be shared with the public."
The investigation has been launched against the then Chair of Diyarbakır Bar Association Ahmet Özmen and its the then board members Mahsum Batı, Nurşin Uysal, Cihan Ülsen, Sertaç Buluttekin, Neşet Girasun, Serhat Eren, İmran Gökdere, Velat Alan, Ahmet Dağ and Nahit Eren. (AS/SD)
