Prison Sentence of Journalist Güleş Upheld

 * Photograph: Mezopotamya Agency

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

The 16th Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld the prison sentence of 9 years, 4 months and 15 days that was given to journalist Mehmet Güleş, who was working as a reporter at the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), which was closed as per a Statutory Decree.

In his hearing held on May 3, 2018, the court ruled that Güleş shall be sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on charge of "being member of a terrorist organization" and be sentenced to 3 years, 1 month and 15 days in prison on charge of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization". Güleş was sentenced to 9 years, 4 months and 15 days in prison in total.

Upon the verdict of the local court, Güleş's attorney Resul Tamur submitted a request of appeal to the 4th Penal Chamber of the Antep Regional Court of Justice. However, the court rejected the request and upheld the verdict.

After his request was rejected, attorney Tamur applied to the Supreme Court of Appeals, requesting that the verdicts of the local and regional courts be appealed. Evaluating the application of Tamur, the 16th Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld the prison sentence of 9 years, 4 months and 15 days previously given to Mehmet Güleş.

Attorney Tamur stated that they would appeal to the Constitutional Court. (EMK/SD)