Four people face up to 3 years in jail for calling for secularism

Turkish authorities demanded up to 3 years in prison for the members of a leftist group who had called for secularism
Wednesday, 19 April 2017 05:01

Turkish authorities demanded up to 3 years in prison for the members of a leftist group who had called for secularism after the attack on İstanbul's Reina nightclub that killed 39 people.
Four members of Halkevleri (People’s Houses) were detained after participating in a speech protesting Islamic State's  attack on Reina on New Year's Day.

In a video of the speech, one of the Halkevleri members says, "We say 'enough.' From now on, we won't allow ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as Islamic State] or any reactionary jihadist gang into our neighbourhoods. There’s a flag to be raised against fundamentalism and the name of that flag is secularism. Today secularism means freedom, fraternity and the struggle for a humane life. We call on everyone to become a part of this struggle. We invite everyone to bring fundamentalists, fascists and lovers of the presidential system to book."

In the formal criminal charge against Halkevleri members, prosecutors tried to outlaw the secularism call and claimed they had provoked social democrats against conservatives and nationalists.
From 1 to up 3 years in jail was demanded Halkevleri members, allegedly for inciting hatred and hostility among the public.