Sociologist sentenced to life behind bars
Sociologist sentenced to life behind bars
Turkish High Court sentenced sociologist Pýnar Selek to life behind bars for alleged bombing of Misir Bazaar in Istanbul on 9 July 1998 which left 7 dead.
Although being acquitted two times by Turkish courts Selek is now facing the risk of spending rest of her life in prison.
On 9 July 1998 an explosion hit Misir Bazaar, leaving 7 dead and 127 wounded. The police couldn’t determine the cause of the explosion after crime scene investigation. Various reports by the police and Forensic Medicine Institute says there are no evidences to prove that the explosion was caused by a bomb.
Sociologist Pýnar Selek was arrested shortly after the bombing and spent years in prison before Istanbul High Criminal Court acquitted her of carrying out the attack. But the Turkish Supreme Court turned down the decision and sent the file back to a lower court.
Last year Istanbul court again acquitted Selek of the alleged crimes. But the Supreme Court took the initiative and sentenced Selek for life in prison.
The Supreme Court says it’s unnecessary to prove that the explosion was caused by a bomb. The courts statement says the explosion is not caused by LPG or other accidental causes so it must have been caused by a bomb attack.
The statement also accused Pinar Selek of being a leading member of the PKK.
The lawyer of Selek, Seyda Selek said they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Although being acquitted two times by Turkish courts Selek is now facing the risk of spending rest of her life in prison.
On 9 July 1998 an explosion hit Misir Bazaar, leaving 7 dead and 127 wounded. The police couldn’t determine the cause of the explosion after crime scene investigation. Various reports by the police and Forensic Medicine Institute says there are no evidences to prove that the explosion was caused by a bomb.
Sociologist Pýnar Selek was arrested shortly after the bombing and spent years in prison before Istanbul High Criminal Court acquitted her of carrying out the attack. But the Turkish Supreme Court turned down the decision and sent the file back to a lower court.
Last year Istanbul court again acquitted Selek of the alleged crimes. But the Supreme Court took the initiative and sentenced Selek for life in prison.
The Supreme Court says it’s unnecessary to prove that the explosion was caused by a bomb. The courts statement says the explosion is not caused by LPG or other accidental causes so it must have been caused by a bomb attack.
The statement also accused Pinar Selek of being a leading member of the PKK.
The lawyer of Selek, Seyda Selek said they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
