* Photo: Twitter
Click to read the article in Turkish
Announcing its ruling on September 14, the Ağrı 1st Heavy Penal Court has ruled that Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Sırrı Sakık shall be sentenced to 5 years, 10 months in prison on charges of "knowingly and willingly aiding the organization" and "propagandizing for the organization."
The politician was facing these charges over a speech that he made in 2015, when the conflict period started again in the eastern and southeastern Turkey and he was the Mayor of Ağrı province.
As reported by the Gazete Duvar, after Ağrı province and Tendürek mountains had been declared "temporary military zone," Sakık phoned Musa Işın, the then Governor of Ağrı, talked to him around five minutes and after this conversation, the Governor allowed the press statement of Sakık.
Heard as a witness as part of this lawsuit, the then Ağrı Governor Musa Işın also said that he talked to Sakık on the phone on the day of the incident and he was informed about the statement for the press.
Application to the court of appeals
Announcing its opinion as to the accusations before the court handed down its ruling against the politician, Ağrı Public Prosecutor's Office demanded that Sakık be acquitted of "knowingly and willingly aiding the organization" and penalized for "propagandizing for the organization."
However, the Ağrı 1st Penal Court has ruled that Sırrı Sakık shall be sentenced to 4 years, 2 months in prison for "knowingly and willingly aiding the organization" and 1 year, 8 months for "propaganda."
Against this backdrop, the Ağrı Public Prosecutor's Office has applied to the court of appeals on the ground that the ruling of the court is against the opinion as to the accusations presented by the office.
The attorney of Sırrı Sakık has also appealed against the ruling on the grounds that the ruling is contrary to law. (SO/SD)
