Preparations are continuing across Kurdistan for Newroz (Kurdish New Year) celebrations, where Newroz fires will be lit in 53 centers this year. While preparations have begun in many locations, arbitrary bans and penalties related to Newroz celebrations continue. Zeynep Ete was sentenced to 10 months in prison on the charge of “making propaganda for an organization” after an investigation was launched against her for carrying a yellow, red and green scarf during the Newroz celebration held in Bismil last year. The court decided to suspend the announcement of the verdict.
Investigation launched the same day
The incident took place on 15 March 2025. Zeynep Ete, who went to the area to attend the Newroz rally held in the district, was called by police officers and a report was filed against her because of a yellow, red and green scarf with stars that she had received from a child.
Following the report, the Bismil Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against Zeynep Ete on the allegation of “making propaganda for an organization.” In the indictment prepared after the investigation, prosecutors requested that Ete be punished.
10-month prison sentence issued
Zeynep Ete rejected the accusations against her during the hearings at the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court, which delivered its verdict last month. Investigations opened against several other individuals for whom reports had also been filed on the same day were concluded as well.
The court initially sentenced Zeynep Ete to one year in prison, ruling that the three-colored scarf she carried constituted a “criminal element.” The sentence was later reduced to 10 months after the court applied for a discretionary reduction.
Colors deemed a “crime”
In its reasoned decision, the court stated: “It has been established that Zeynep Ete committed the offense attributed to her of ‘making propaganda for a terrorist organization in a way that legitimizes, praises or encourages the use of methods involving force, violence or threats.’ Taking into account the manner in which the act was committed, the means used in the commission of the offense, the time and place where it occurred, the importance and value of the subject of the crime, the gravity of the damage and danger caused, and the intensity of the defendant’s intent-based fault, she is sentenced to one year in prison, which is reduced by one-sixth to 10 months…”
The court also ruled to defer the announcement of the verdict. Similar rulings were issued for other individuals who had faced investigations on the same grounds that day.
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