Former HDP Ankara Member of Parliament, Sırrı Süreyya Önder went to High-Security F-Type Jail No 1 situated in Kocaeli to serve his sentence that has been upheld.
Önder, whose sentence became finalized under a ruling by the Second Penal Chamber of İstanbul Regional Court of Justice, went to Kocaeli Judicial Complex and had his procedures conducted at the Enforcement Prosecutor’s Office.
Önder had the following to say before entering jail: “We are passing through days that are no surprise to those toiling for peace and democracy. This well of war and boorishness is not as deep as is imagined. If events seem depressing, good days are actually very near for the entire country. Our tradition is adorned with countless examples of the ability to produce much out of little. Every word we speak and all the efforts we make are our honour. If a price is required, this applies equally to paying it. I salute all friends with my feelings of salutation, success and solidarity.”
Istanbul Serious Crime Court No 26 imposed jail terms of four years and eight months on Selahattin Demirtaş and three years and six months on former HDP Ankara MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder for “making terrorist organization propaganda.” Counsel objected to the sentences.
The sentences became finalized under a 4 December ruling to uphold them by the Second Penal Chamber of Istanbul Regional Court of Justice.
An objection was filed against the judgment passed by Istanbul Serious Crime Court No 26 on 7 September and the file was remitted for examination to the Second Penal Chamber of İstanbul Regional Court of Justice.
Demirtaş and Önder were being prosecuted for the speeches they made at the Newroz celebrations held in İstanbul-Zeytinburnu in 2013.
It was stated that there had been no procedural and substantive violation of the law in the judgment issued by the local court on Selahattin Demirtaş and Sırrı Süreyya Önder and it had thus been decided to dismiss on its merits the application for appeal that the defence counsel had made, and Demirtaş and Önder’s sentences became finalized. (EVRENSEL DAILY)
Bülent Falakaoğlu
Hakkı Özdal
