Mehmet Ali Ertaş, Managing Editor-in-Chief of Xwebûn Newspaper, was previously sentenced to 1 year and 3 months in prison for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and the decision was reversed by the Constitutional Court (AYM). Ertaş appeared before court once again today.

Ertaş did not attend the hearing held at Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court. His lawyer Resul Temur was present at the hearing, as well as DİSK Basın-İş Diyarbakır Regional Representative Hakkı Boltan.

The prosecutor demanded a penalty against Ertaş. Lawyer Resul Temur reminded the violation decision of the Constitutional Court and demanded acquittal, saying: “My client shared his feelings and thoughts in his posts due to being a journalist. He does not bear an approach that praises and encourages violence. I think this is the main reason for the Constitutional Court's decision of violation.”

The court sentenced Ertaş to 1 year and 3 months and decided to defer the announcement of the verdict.