Court upholds prison sentence for HDP MP Kemal Bülbül

The 9th Penal Chamber of the Diyarbakır Regional Court of Justice has upheld the prison sentence of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Antalya MP Kemal Bülbül, who was given 6 years, 3 months in prison on charge of “membership of a [terrorist / illegal] organization”.

The Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court sentenced him to prison on November 26, 2020, on the grounds that he attended the meetings of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and made speeches there.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), in the justification of the ruling, it was argued that the DTK was acting in line with the instructions of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). The ruling indicated that Bülbül was convicted as he did various activities as a member of its permanent assembly and a member of the Faith and Minorities Commission.

As the lawyers of Bülbül appealed against the ruling, the file was sent to the 9th Penal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice.

Examining the file as to the merits, the 9th Penal Chamber did not find any unlawfulness as to the merits or procedure in the local court ruling, concluded that there was no missing point about the evidence or the proceedings and found that the assessment was sound in terms of proof.

Legal remedies are reportedly available.