Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) Adana Branch has released a statement on the last hearing of lawyer Þiar Riþvanoðlu, on 17 May (a verdict is expected) who has been tried by Adana Specially Authorized 6th High Criminal Court on the grounds of the statements he made in different occasions.

The ÇHD statement underlined that Riþvanoðlu was accused of “spreading propaganda” and noted that “this case constitutes a heavy blow against the freedom of thought and expression which are the most basic human rights”.

The statement also reminded two other cases opened against Riþvanoðlu on the grounds of his being a member of the Newroz organization committee in Adana in 2010 and the joint press statement he read on the suspected death of Azadiye Welat paper distibutor Metin Alataþ.

“The ongoing systematical cases against our colleague obviously reveal that these investigations target not the person himself but the platform where he has expressed his opinions”, said the statement and also reminded the unlawful arrest of 34 Contemporary Lawyers’ Association member lawyers in the recent period.

The statement of the Association ended calling on all democrat circles and individuals to give their support to protect the freedom of thought and expression at last hearing of the trial against lawyer Þirvanoðlu on May 17.