Two Kurdish activists sentenced to more than 10 years of prison

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MUŞ - Muş 2nd Heavy Penal Court sentenced two former DBP party assembly members, Bermal Birtek and Ergin Balta to 10 years and 6 months prison.

Bermal Birtek and Ergin Balta, who are the members of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) were detained and imprisoned on charges of "being a member of an organization" and "to make the propaganda of an organization". As they were sentenced to 10 years and 6 months of prison before Erzurum Court of Appeal broke this sentence ruled by the court.

Having their hearing at the Muş 2nd Penal Court, Birtek and Balta could attend the hearing not in person, but via Audio and Video Information System (SEGBIS). As Birtek and Balta denied all the charges and asked for their acquital, the court sentenced both activists to 10 years and 6 months of Prison.

Bermal Birtek is imprisoned in Sincan Women's Prison ("Sincan Kadın Kapalı Cezaevi" for the mailing address) in the capital Ankara and Ergin Balta is imprisoned in Patnos L Type High Security Prison ("Patnos L Tipi Yüsek Güvenlikli Cezaevi" for the mailing address) in Turkey's eastern province of Ağrı.