Kurdish journalist sentenced to three years imprisonment

Journalist Özgür Paksoy has been sentenced to more than three years for "terrorist propaganda".

Kurdish journalist Özgür Paksoy, who worked for DIHA, Dicle News Agency which was shut down with an emergency decree, has been sentenced to three years, one month and 15 days' imprisonment.

The journalist is accused of “spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization”, namely the PKK, on social media.

Paksoy was only able to participate in the trial against him via video conferencing system SEGBIS. He rejected the accusations and demanded his acquittal.

Paksoy's lawyer Resul Temur argued that the so-called crimes directed at his client were covered by freedom of expression.

Şırnak 2nd Heavy Penal Court found the Kurdish journalist guilty of propaganda for a terrorist organization and rejected the demand for the suspension of sentence.