Student Taken into Custody During Lecture Released

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The first hearing in the trial of university student Gizem Yerik taken into custody on charges of defaming the President and propagandizing for an [illegal] organization through her postings on the social media has been held today.

Yerik had been taken into custody during a lecture in Uludağ University Faculty of Fine Arts on February 26 by anti-terror police. On the same day, she had been arrested by Mudanya Criminal Court of Peace to which she had been referred by the prosecution demanding her arrest.  

First delivered to Bursa Prison and kept in a one person cell for six days on grounds that there was no ward for women in the prison, Yerik was later sent to Gebze Women’s Prison.

Bursa 2nd High Criminal Court has ruled release of Yerik on probation on the first hearing her trial today (May 11).

Arrest order with 35 questions

In the police station and the prosecution where she has made use of her right to remain silent, Yerik has been asked the same 35 questions.  

The questions included topics such as her signing the solidarity declaration with regards to the declaration of the Academics For Peace, her news postings, retweets, postings as to those trapped in the basement in Cizre, Arin Mirxan who has lost her life in Kobanê.

Some of the questions addressed to Yerik are as follows:

* Explain what you know about the declaration prepared by the academics. Who is responsible for organizing the petition launched on social media to support the aforementioned declaration?

* Where is Kurdistan. Give information regarding its borders.

* Do you speak Kurdish?

* Do you know the meaning of "Kobane Resiste" ?

* What is your intention in introducing members of the organization among whom there are also top-end authorities who have not surrendered to the security forces and resisted as civil citizens? (BK/DG)