The 18th hearing of the lawsuit filed against 22 religious scholars, including the chairman, executives and members of Religious Scholars Assistance and Solidarity Association (DİAYDER), was held at the 14th High Criminal Court of Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan on Friday. The religious scholars are accused of ‘being members of an illegal organisation’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ over giving sermons in Kurdish.

The verdict was announced after two days of hearing. The case of one of the defendants who lost his life was dropped.

The court acquitted 6 people, reduced the sentence for 9 people on the charge of ‘membership in an illegal organisation’ to 6 years and 3 months, sentenced 3 people including association chairman Ekrem Baran to 7 years and 6 months for ‘membership in an illegal organisation’ and 4 people to 2 years and 1 month for ‘aiding an illegal organisation’.