Ayşe Gökkan, former spokesperson of TJA and in prison for almost six years, appeared again before the judge at the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. Participating in the hearing via SEGBİS from Sincan Women’s Closed Prison, she stated that the trial contradicted the “Peace and Democratic Society Process.”
Speaking in Kurdish, Ayşe Gökkan defended the women’s freedom struggle, emphasizing that TJA provides a platform centered on women’s liberation.
Referring to the process initiated by Önder Apo, she said it must be protected, and stated that Turkey should exit the Middle East’s war and crisis environment through a policy of peace.
In her defense, she also highlighted the death of ill prisoner Mehmet Edip Taşar, saying, “The state says provocation should not happen, but a funeral coming out of prison is the biggest provocation,” calling on authorities to take action.
She also recalled that they were prosecuted for the Newroz celebrations on March 21, noting that celebrating Newroz cannot be considered a crime.
During the hearing, lawyers emphasized that all of Ayşe Gökkan’s activities were within legal and social work frameworks and highlighted the political nature of the charges. They stated that the case lacks concrete evidence and that Ayşe Gökkan has long been deprived of her right to a proper defense.
The prosecution again requested Ayşe Gökkan’s release. However, despite this request, the court decided to continue her detention.
The court postponed the trial to 19 June.