BURSA - The acquittal of HDP politicians on trial for "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" in Bursa was overturned on appeal.

 

The final hearing of the lawsuit filed against 7 people, including Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Bursa ex-Provincial Co-Chair Aynur Yılmaz and journalist Emrah Çaçan, was held on January 19, 2021 at the Bursa 8th High Criminal Court. HDP members Davut Toktaş were given 3 years and 2 months and Resul Baykara was given 1 year and 6 months for allegedly "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" in the lawsuit filed on the grounds of social media posts, and the execution of the sentence was postponed. Five people, including Yılmaz and Çaçan, were acquitted.

 

The prosecutor appealed against the acquittal. Bursa Regional Court of Justice overturned the acquittal on the grounds of "carrying pictures or signs of the organization, shouting slogans, wearing uniforms with signs or pictures of the organization". After the decision is overturned in the appeal, 5 names will appear before the judge again. The first hearing will be held on June 14.