Sentenced to prison over social media posts, CHP's Kaftancıoğlu released under supervision

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After her prison sentence of 4 years, 11 months and 20 days was upheld by the Court of Cassation, Canan Kaftancıoğlu, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) provincial chair in İstanbul, went to the Silivri Prison in the outskirts of the city yesterday (May 31).

Accompanied by a group of party members, she initially went to the İstanbul Courthouse at around 11.30 a.m., after the Court of Cassation verdict reached the prosecutor of criminal enforcement,

Briefly speaking to reporters in front of the courthouse, Kaftancıoğlu marked the anniversary of the 2013 Gezi Park protests, saying, "Long live the Gezi resistance."

The procedures at the prosecutor's office took about 20 minutes, after which she left the courthouse for the Silivri Prison.

In front of the prison campus, two people attempted to display a banner to show support for Kaftancıoğlu, but were prevented by police officers.

After the procedures at the prison were completed, she was released under supervision at around 7 p.m.

The sentence and the political ban

On May 12, the Court of Cassation upheld three of five sentences given to Kaftancıoğlu because of her social media posts.

In September 2019, the politician was sentenced to a total of 9 years and 8 months in prison on charges of "propagandizing for a terrorist organization," "insulting a public official," "insulting the president," openly degrading the state of the Republic of Turkey, " and "inciting people to animosity and hatred."

An appeals court upheld the sentences in June 2020.

The Court of Cassation upheld the sentences of 1 year, 6 months and 20 days for "insulting a public official" and "openly degrading the state of the Republic of Turkey." It also upheld the sentence for "insulting the president" but changed its duration from 2 years and 4 months to 1 year and 9 months.

It overturned the sentence of 1 year and 6 months for "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" and of 2 years and 8 months for "inciting the people to animosity and hatred.

The court also imposed a political ban on Kaftancıoğlu. Yet the CHP says she will remain the head of its İstanbul head, arguing that the ban only prohibits her from becoming an MP. (HA/VK)