Ayşe Çelik, a school teacher who was convicted of “conducting propaganda for a terrorist organization” in April 2017 for her remarks on a live TV show in 2016, when she said, “Don’t let children die,” concerning the sweeping curfews imposed on Turkey’s southeastern provinces back then, was sent to prison after the sentence was suspended twice.

According to a report from Cumhuriyet journalist Seyhan Avşar, teacher Ayşe Çelik went to Diyarbakir Courthouse after the suspension period expired. 

After filling the necessary forms, the court ordered Çelik to be arrested and taken to prison. The teacher left her 18 months old daughter Deran to her mother before speaking.

Stating that he felt very bad Çelik added: “My baby is unwell ... Prison conditions are not suitable for her. I decided to leave her with my mother. It's impossible to describe my feelings. I am so sad.”

Stating that she has not lost his faith in the judiciary, Çelik said: “I believe that this illegality will be abolished. I don't think they will allow a mother and her baby to be separated.”

Çelik had made an individual application to the Constitutional Court on the grounds that a violation of his right to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial had been violated.

What Çelik  said on TV

Çelik had said the following during a live phone call in 2016 to a talk show hosted by Beyazıt Öztürk: “Are you aware of what is happening in Turkey’s Southeast? Media recounts what’s happening here very differently. Do not remain silent. See us, hear us, and lend us a hand. This is shameful! Don’t let people die, don’t let children die, don’t let mothers cry!”