Turkish court sentences 16 people in case over Kurdish sermons

A Turkish court sentenced 16 members of the Religious Scholars Solidarity Association (DİAYDER) to prison in a case launched for delivering sermons and preaching in Kurdish.

Saturday October 26 2024 12:24 am

Duvar

Sixteen of the 23 defendants, including the chair and members of the Religious Scholars Solidarity Association (DİAYDER), have been sentenced to prison on charges of "membership in a terrorist organization" and "spreading terrorist propaganda" for delivering sermons and prayers in Kurdish.

The association’s chair, Ekrem Baran, and three other defendants were sentenced to more than seven years in prison. While six defendants were acquitted, the remaining individuals received prison sentences of varying lengths from approximately two to six years.

'Religious affairs branch of PKK'

In the trial, prosecutors argued that the DİAYDER had served as the "religious affairs branch" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared a 335-page indictment against the defendants, alleging that the DİAYDER, operating in Istanbul, was established as a Kurdish version of Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) under the instructions of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The indictment stated that the association systematically delivered launch cards obtained from public institutions “to individuals to increase the loyalty of families of those who were part of the PKK or who have been neutralized during (military) operations, ensuring they do not sever ties with the PKK.”

After the indictment was accepted by the court, the Interior Ministry in December 2023 launched an investigation into the opposition-led İstanbul Municipality. Some of the suspects mentioned in the case were working in the municipality.