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| The Grand Turk |
| Turkish mayor faces trial over "terror propaganda" |
| 2015-11-09 |
| [Hurriyet] An indictment has been prepared against a provincial mayor on charges of "promoting terrorism on social media," according to a court statement. Sirri Sakik, the mayor for the eastern province of Agri, will face a jail sentence for posting comments on Twitter "encouraging and praising the terror of the [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] PKK and its affiliate, the Kurdish Communities Union [KCK], against the Turkish government." According to the Agri Criminal Court, Sakik, who stood for the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) in the March 2014 election, faces up to seven-and-a-half years in prison and a ban on political activity if convicted. A trial is due to take place on Dec. 10. The indictment was prepared after a criminal complaint was filed by a member of the public. In a series of tweets posted between Aug. 19 and 22, Sakik said the "Kurds have been fighting for their freedom." Referring to his forthcoming trial, Sakik told journalists: "This war will not last forever. If it will solve the problems, my punishment, my body, shall be dedicated to Agri and peace." |
| Posted by:trailing wife |