The 71st hearing of the “KCK Main Case” that had been opened in Amed was held at the 2nd Heavy Penal Court today. Mardin Metropolitan Co-mayor Ahmet Türk, who is jailed in Elazığ T Type Closed Prison, and Kurdish politicians Ferhat Türk and Ramazan Debe appeared in the court. Ahmet Türk’s wife Mülkiye Türk, HDP parliamentarians Meral Danış Beştaş, Nadir Yıldırım, Osman Baydemir, Feleknas Uca, Nimetullah Erdoğmuş, Ahmet Yıldırım and many others also followed the hearing.

AHMET TÜRK: ACCUSATIONS ARE UNLAWFUL AND UNFOUNDED

In his defense, Ahmet Türk emphasized that his struggle for a solution continues, saying the followings:

“I have been active in politics in every period but I was subjected to injustice in every period. I faced investigations and lawsuits, and I stood trial in line with the political developments of every period. Now, I have been sued due to a speech I made during the Newroz of 2012. Newroz has been celebrated in this geography for many years. It had been banned that year. I spoke for 5 minutes during the celebration. I did not have any argument or a problem with security forces. If there had been a contrary situation, it would have been recorded on camera, which did not happen. The accusations directed at me in the indictment are unlawful. The meeting I had with lawyer Fethi Gümüş was also included in the indictment. Similarly, the meetings I had with politicians in my house are presented as evidence. These are not acceptable. I have been in the struggle of democratic politics since 1973. I do not accept these accusations."

LAWYER AKTAR: AHMET TÜRK İS THE VOICE OF OUR CONSCIENCE

Lawyer Fethi Gümüş stated that he had informed Türk about the operation called “KCK” that was launched in 2009 upon Türk’s request. He criticized the portrayal of this meeting as “an organizational directive.”

Speaking after, lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar described Türk as the voice of their conscience and said that punishing Türk would mean banning legal politics and Türk did not commit any crime.

FERHAN TÜRK: I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO EUROPE

Former Kızıltepe mayor Ferhan Türk made his defense in Kurdish and he also refused the accusations, saying: “In the indictment, it is claimed that I ran in the municipal elections upon the request of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan. It is also asserted that I met with Cemil Bayık and Sabri Ok in Europe, although I have never been to Europe.”Lawyer Erdal Kuzu demanded Ferhat Türk’s release.

Defendant Ramazan Debe also defended himself in Kurdish and refused the accusations concerning him.

TÜRK'S REQUEST TO BE TRANSFERRED TO DİYARBAKIR REJECTED

After his defense, Ahmet Türk stated that he is in a bad state of health and demanded to be transferred to Diyarbakır D Type Closed Prison. In response, the judge said that he also demanded that Türk be brought to Amed, but he could not do much since his request was refused and Türk was taken to Elazığ.

The hearing was postponed to Wednesday, January 25.