Artist Tunç: The Accusations are Political, I Don’t Accept Them

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Ferhat Tunç, an artist who has a case against him for six years in prison on the grounds of "making propaganda for a terror organization" due to posts made on his social media account, appeared before the judge in the trial yesterday (December 15).

"Instead of receiving an award, I have been investigated"

Defendant Ferhat Tunç, who is being tried without arrest, attended the first hearing at the Istanbul 36th Heavy Penal Court. Clarifying in his defense that he has been an artist for 35 years, Tunç stated, "While I have had investigations, concert bans, and arrests instead of an award in my country, I was deemed worthy of the World Free Music Award in 2010 in England."

"I did not make make a distinction between different types of pain"

He stated, "I took part in events about peace, democracy, fraternity, and human rights. I was always on the side of peace. Instead of war or violence, I sang songs in the name of whatever topics needed to be discussed. I did not make a distinction between different types of pain. I am against racism and bigotry."

"The indictment instigates discrimination"

Expressing that his social media posts should be considered under the domain of freedom of expression, defendant Tunç said, "I spoke out about the pain of a people exposed to the cruelty of ISIS in my posts. Kobani was exposed to ISIS's assault. The indictment instigates discrimination.

"The accusations are political. Everyone needs law and freedom of thought in this country. I do not accept the accusations," stated Tunç. Having decided to send the case file to the prosecutor to deliver an opinion as to its procedural validity, the court has postponed the trial.

A sentence of one to six years has been requested

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Bureau Against Press Crimes, Tunç is charged with "making propaganda for the illegal organizations of PKK/KCK (Kurdistan Workers' Party / Kurdistan Communities Union) and their extensions of YPG (People's Protection Units) and YPJ (Women's Protection Units)" with a request for a prison sentence between one year and three months to six years.

Trials, investigations and prosecutions of Ferhat Tunç

* Charged with promoting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ), Tunç stood trial at Çağlayan Courthouse in İstanbul on December 14, 2017 at 9 a.m.

* A lawsuit was filed against Tunç in October 2017, on charge of "defaming the President" on his social media account.

* On June, 14, 2017 Tunceli Governorship considered a conversation of Tunç with Kemal Gün, who was on a hunger strike demanding that the dead body of his son be handed over to him for a funeral, a crime and sentenced Tunç to pay a fine.

* On 27 June 2012, Dersim Malatya Third High Criminal Court sentenced Tunç to two years in prison for having promoted İbrahim Kaypakkaya in a speech he held during May 1 celebrations in 2011. The case was filed against Ferhat Tunç for having said: "I salute you in the revolutionary spirit of Deniz Gezmiş, Mahir Çayan, İbrahim Kaypakkaya, et al," while he was performing at a concert on 1 May 2011 in the predominantly Kurdish province of Dersim in eastern Turkey.

*Two lawsuits and seven investigations were opened against Kurdish singer Ferhat Tunç due to his speeches delivered during the run-up to the general election on 12 June 2011. Tunç was campaigning as deputy candidate of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block for Dersim.

* In February 2015, The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) convicted Turkey of violating freedom of speech in the case of singer Ferhat Tunç. A Turkish court had sentenced Ferhat Tunç to three months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine for having made dissident comments during a concert on 4 August 2003.

(PT/LN/DG)