An Istanbul court today ordered the conditional release of several students from a prestigious university in the city accused of "terrorist propaganda" for expressing opposition to Turkish military operations in Syria.
The court demanded the release of 14 of the students who were still in pre-trial detention, as reported by a journalist of the French Agency who was inside the room. The other eight co-accused are already free.
The court's decision was met with applause from the relatives and friends of the accused.
Bosphorus University students are accused of spreading propaganda in favor of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). They risk up to five years in prison if convicted. Their trial, which began today, was adjourned and will continue on October 3.
The accused had gathered to express their opposition to Turkish operations in the Afrin region of northwestern Syria. The protest erupted as other students began distributing sweets on campus, calling them "Afrin Turkish delights" as a sign of support for the military operation against a Kurdish Syrian organization, which Ankara describes as "terrorist".
Speaking in court today, the students rejected the propaganda charge. "I do not defend any violence, nor did I make terrorist propaganda. I shouted slogans such as "All together against fascism" and "Stop the war, now peace". "These are global slogans that will be shouted at all demonstrations," said Sukran Yaren Tunzer.
One of her classmates, Ismail Girler, accused police of abusing him when he was arrested. "I was stripped naked and then beaten. "Twice," he said in a trembling voice.