Conscientious Objector Çelik Acquitted of ‘Alienating People from Military Service’

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In the first hearing of the lawsuit filed against him on charge of "alienating people from military service", conscientious objector Furkan Çelik was acquitted in his first hearing on February 6.

Çelik was the administrator of the Conscientious Objection Association's social media account and the lawsuit was filed over the messages posted on these accounts based on the news published on the association's website.

The first hearing of the lawsuit held at the İstanbul 16th Penal Court of First Instance was attended by conscientious objector Furkan Çelik himself and Conscientious Objection Association Co-Chair lawyer Gökhan Soysal.

Submitting his objections in written form, lawyer Soysal said that the offense of alienating people from military service itself was against the Constitution, just as the investigation itself was in violation of freedom of expression.

Soysal further underlined that supporting war, not peace, was a crime and requested the acquittal of his client Furkan Çelik.

In his statement at court, Çelik indicated that he was a conscientious objector and alienating people from military service could not be considered an offense and, therefore, he did not commit any crimes.

Announcing its ruling in the first hearing of the trial, the board of the İstanbul 16th Penal Court of First Instance ruled for the acquittal of Furkan Çelik as the written elements of the related crime did not arise. (EKN/SD)

* Source and photo: Conscientious Objection Association