Turkish students face 15 years in prison for demanding free educationMarch 10, 2012 - 13:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A newly appointed prosecutor in an ongoing trial has requested between 7.5 to 15 years in prison on terrorism-related charges for three university students who unfurled a banner demanding free education in 2010, Hurriyet Daily News reported. The previous prosecutor Kasım İlimoğlu had requested the students’ acquittal, arguing their act was constitutional and fell within the limits of the freedom of expression. Prosecutor Adem Özcan who replaced him following his appointment to the case, however, demanded on March 9 that the students, Ferhat Tüzer, Berna Yılmaz and Utku Aykar, be sentenced on charges of membership of a terrorist organization. Ferhat Tüzer, a mechanical engineering student at Trakya University, Berna Yılmaz, an anthropology student at Ankara University and the other suspect Utku Aykar opened a banner demanding free education during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s meeting with the Roma community on March, 2010. Tüzer and Yılmaz were subsequently arrested but later released after remaining behind bars for 18 months, while Aykar was tried withour arrest. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Fly Arna license suspended, says Armenia official The license of the Armenian airline Fly Arna has been suspended for six months, an official says. President stresses Armenia’s clear position to achieve peace On the eve of the International Francophonie Day, the Armenian President met with French intellectuals. Termination of servicing of MIR cards. IDBank It will not be possible to ensure the full operation of MIR cards in IDBank’s POS-terminals and ATMs Pashinian meets border villagers on possible land transfer to Azerbaijan Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with concerned residents of two villages in Armenia’s northern Tavush province. |