Lice District Mayor Receives Prison Sentence
Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court sentenced Lice Co-Mayor Rezan Zuğurli to 4 years and 2 months in prison for “not being a member of an organization but committing crime for them” this morning.
In 2012, Diyarbakır Prosecutor’s Office started an investigation on Zuğurli, claiming that she participated in 3 different demonstrations during the years 2010 and 2011. On May 15, 2012, the court arrested Zuğurli and released her 13 months later. Her case continued with the request of 35 years of prison sentence.
After today's hearing, Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court sentenced Zuğurli for 5 years imprisonment on the crime of “not being a member of an organization but committing crime for them”. The decision was appealed and Supreme Court of Appeals 9th Criminal Division reversed the judgment because of deficient investment and sent the case to the local court again.
According to Fırat News (ANF), Diyarbakır 2nd High Criminal Court sentenced Zuğurli for 5 years imprisonment first but reduced the penalty to 4 years and 2 months relating to her good behavior.
“Supreme Court of Appeal’s remittitur claimed that my client was at the demonstrations on those dates and she participated according to the organization’s instructions. According to Supreme Court of Appeal’s remittitur the date of the demonstrations is 19.10.2012. The reason of these demonstrations is the incidents on 19.10.2000. Doctors Union, Mazlum-Der and many non-governmental organizations published statements and their disapprobation on these incidents. Such incidents occurred against the revolutionist leftist organizations in prison. PKK has nothing to do with them. There is no evidence according to my client practicing those demonstrations in behalf of PKK. I request my client’s acquittal” said Zuğurli’s lawyer Habibe Danışman Deyar. (ÇT/ENÜ/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.