Four of 19 conscientious objectors have been punished with incarceration by Ankara’s 10th Criminal Court of First Instance. According to DIHA news agency they were convicted of “turning people against the military” and “insulting Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)”.

Volkan Sevinç has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for “turning people against the military” and “insulting Turkish Armed Forces (TSK).” Halil Savda; Gökçe Otlu, chair of the Human Rights Association’s Ankara Branch; and Zarife Ferda Çakmak have been sentenced to 6 months in prison each for “turning people against the military.” Fifteen other defendants have been acquitted.

Those found guilty plan to file an appeal with their lawyers.