EYLE SONBAHAR
Ahmet Saymadi, a member of the Party Assembly of Turkey’s Socialist Reconstitution Party (SYKP), was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for “membership in a terrorist organization” but was released under a travel ban by the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court on July 7.
Saymadi had been in pretrial detention since February 21 after being arrested in a police operation targeting the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a broad-based political platform that brings together leftist and pro-Kurdish organizations. He was tried on charges of organizational membership based on his participation in HDK activities.
He was brought to the courthouse from Marmara Closed Penal Institution under gendarmerie escort. During the hearing, his defense team raised serious concerns about the lack of concrete evidence in the case file.
Attorney Tora Pekin noted that the indictment referenced four Excel spreadsheets, which were not included in the court file. “We also checked other HDK case files and these documents were not there either,” Pekin said. “Another piece of evidence supposedly relied upon by the prosecution is a report labeling HDK as a terrorist organization — but this document is also missing from the file. In a related case, the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court recently asked the Court of Cassation whether HDK is officially listed as a terrorist organization.”
In his defense statement responding to the prosecution’s final opinion, which had been submitted at the first hearing on May 21, Saymadi said: “I am a socialist and a member of SYKP. I’ve participated in many political activities. HDK is a platform made up of multiple organizations. My connection to HDK is through my party, SYKP. I am not a member of any armed organization. I want the court to recognize this and rule for my release and acquittal.”
Attorney Pekin also criticized the prosecution’s final opinion, arguing that it simply summarized the indictment without addressing missing documents. “There is no public or verifiable information on the outcome of the cases cited in the opinion. The court should request these materials. There is no evidence that would justify a charge of organizational membership,” she said.
Another defense attorney, Gökay Işık, added: “This investigation was initiated collectively on February 18. Following the arrests, HDK held a press statement in front of Çağlayan Courthouse. The indictment lists 'components,' and our client is a member of SYKP. He was assigned by his party to participate in HDK’s activities. The prosecution should have clarified this structure. This case will end in acquittal. Pretrial detention is a harsh measure. We request his release and acquittal.”
After a recess, the court sentenced Saymadi to 6 years and 3 months in prison on the charge of “membership in a terrorist organization,” but ordered his release with a travel ban in place.
