Student Accused of Wearing T-Shirt Reading Hero Acquitted

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Accused of entering the hearing at Sincan Closed Penal Institutions Campus with a t-shirt reading “Hero”, university student Emirhan Baysal acquitted in the trial in which he was charged with “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”.

Reiterating his previous statements, Baysal said that he is a university student and he purchased the t-shirt a long time before the date of crime.

Stating that he was innocent, Baysal demanded his acquittal.

Public prosecutor said that it was determined in the interrogation that Baysal had no connection with the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) and he bought the t-shirt from a chain store, and demanded acquittal of Baysal on the ground that there is no definitive and convincing evidence against Baysal.

Following the statement, the court ruled acquittal of Baysal.

“Hero” detentions

According to BBC Türkçe’s coverage, 33 people from 19 cities were detained as of July 24. 31 of them were released, two others were arrested. A university student couple and a child sitting at a café were among those who were detained.

The detentions continued in the coming days. The number of detentions rose to at least 38.

What happened?

Gökhan Güçlü, who has been tried on charge of attempting suicide against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the July 15 coup attempt, came to the hearing dated July 13 with a t-shirt reading “Hero: Heroes are immortal”, which has sparked debates.

Following the debates, President Erdoğan proposed that the coup trial suspects wear attire uniform in almond color. (HK/TK)