Independent deputy sentenced to 14 years by Turkish court

Hurriyet.com.tr

Independent Deputy Aysel Tuğluk (L) waves at her supporters during a rally in the eastern province of Van. DHA photo

A court of serious crimes in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır sentenced independent deputy Aysel Tuğluk today to 14 years and 7 months in prison for "making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization.”
 
Tuğluk was facing 82 years in prison on 15 separate charges of "making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization” and “committing crimes on behalf of a terrorist organization without being a member of it,” due to speeches she made in various locations on different dates.
 
Tuğluk was acquitted of five separate charges of making propaganda for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) but was found guilty of the same crime and of committing crimes on behalf of the PKK on 10 remaining charges. 
 
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.