AMED - Former BDP Co-Chair Emine Ayna was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison on the charge of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization".

 

A criminal verdict was issued against former Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Co-Chair Emine Ayna in the case where she was tried for "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "violating the law on meetings and demonstrations" for the speeches she made in 34 demonstrations and events, most of which she attended as a member of parliament, between 2011 and 2016.

 

While Ayna, who was detained in the Kobanê case, did not attend the hearing held at Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court, her lawyer Semra Balyan was present. The prosecution repeated its opinion at the previous hearing, requesting a sentence for "making propaganda for a chain organization" and "violating the law on meetings and demonstrations".

 

'SPEECHES ON THE SOLUTION OF THE KURDISH ISSUE'

 

Stating that they submitted their written defense to the file,

Ayna's lawyer, Semra Balyan   pointed out that her client made these speeches when he was the BDP Co-Chairman and a member of parliament, and emphasized that the speeches remained within the scope of political activities. Stating that his client did not encourage force and violence in his speeches and that the speeches were about the solution method of the Kurdish problem, Balyan noted that the elements of the crime charged against his client were not present and requested acquittal.

 

PRISON SENTENCE FOR CHAIN PROPAGANDA

 

The court sentenced Ayna to 2 years in prison on the charge of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" in 7 of her speeches. Concluding that the propaganda was carried out in a chain manner, the court increased the sentence to 3 years. Applying a discretionary reduction, the court reduced the sentence to 2 years and 6 months. The court acquitted Ayna "for violating the law on meetings and demonstrations" and decided to "postpone the prosecution" for other speeches and demonstrations.