The lawsuit filed against two children, who allegedly chanted the slogan, “Bijî Serok Apo [Long Live President Apo],” with hand gestures depicting victory at the entertainment park they visited in Diyarbakır, was concluded with acquittal of the charge of ‘illegal organization propaganda’ in the first hearing.
Diyarbakır Juvenile Assize Court referred to a precedent issued in 2015 by the 16th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeals, stating that the chanted slogan does not contain any expressions that would provoke, legitimize or praise terroristic methods containing violence, force and threat. In the precedent decree, the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeals had stated, “Freedom of expression must not only be applicable on information and knowledge that are reacted positively or neutrally, but also on opinions which could shock people, make them uncomfortable or create possible divisions in society as well; as a necessity of plurality and tolerance shaping a democratic society.”
01.08.2018
demokrathaber.org