Prosecutor gives opinion in trial of İBB employee Şafak Duran.
The Istanbul 32nd High Criminal Court held a hearing regarding the accused Şafak Duran, who is currently detained for being a member of the PKK armed terrorist organization. The trial prosecutor presented their opinion on the case, stating that there was no doubt that the photos in question were taken in PKK camps. Additionally, it was noted that Duran did not take the second final exam and did not use her mobile phone for several months after 2014.
In defense, Duran’s lawyers argued that she had joined the PKK through illegal means in the summer of 2014 and received training as a new member. They claimed that she was organically connected to the organization and acted in accordance with orders and instructions while taking part in the hierarchical structure. The prosecutor demanded a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years for being a member of an armed terrorist organization.
Duran’s lawyers requested more time to present their defense and also asked for her release. The court postponed the hearing to allow Duran and her legal team to prepare a defense against the opinion of the prosecutor.
According to the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, two photographs were found during operations carried out in Cizre, Şırnak in 2016. These photographs led investigators to suspect that Duran had received training in rural areas of the organization and that she had taken part in the graduation ceremony of new members. The indictment also considers witness statements and the criminal report of the gendarmerie, and Duran is sentenced to 7 to 15 years in prison for being a member of an armed terrorist organization.
The trial of Şafak Duran highlights the ongoing fight against terrorism in Turkey, where the government has been committed to combating illegal organizations and their members.
