The Court of Cassation had ruled that it was contrary to the law considering a “crime” the speeches made on such actions as  'Newroz', Kurdish Language Day, March 8, boycott rallies of the Constitutional referendum.

The Court of Cassation, after assessing the file, returned it to the local court, emphasizing that the right to defense was violated by giving the defendants no chance to explain as the accusation had to do almost exclusively with political party activity.

The 16th Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals overturned the sentence of imprisonment on the grounds that "Political activities can not be a crime".

But Van 1 High Criminal Court has on Monday reviewed the ruling of the Supreme Court and has decided to sentence Kurdish politicians once again.

The Court sentenced mayor of Van municipality Bekir Kaya to 8 years and 9 months and the other defendants to sentences of between 7 years and 6 months and 8 years and 9 months.