News Center- Turkey’s Supreme Court overturned the 30-year prison sentence against Free Women's Movement (TJA) Term Spokesperson Ayşe Gökkan.

The first hearing of the retrial has been held by the Diyarbakır 9th High Criminal Court with the attendance of Ayşe Gökkan, her lawyers, members of the TJA, the Human Rights Association (IHD) Women’s Commission, the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD), the Diyarbakır Bar Association, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and many NGOs.

“I reject your court”

After the judge explained why the verdict was overturned, Ayşe Gökkan said, “I reject your court due to your attitude towards me and my lawyer during my last hearing. I do not recognize the court board that did not recognize me and my lawyers. Courts have turned into a system based on a hunter and victim. My defense here is Jin jiyan azadi, which has echoed all over the world.”

“We do not feel free”

Ayşe Gökkan’s lawyer Özüm Vurgun also recalled what happened during the final hearing of the trial. “We do not feel free to defend ourselves at the court because we are not sure if our defenses will not be used against us. We will not make a defense,” Özüm Vurgun said.

Lawyer Berfin Gökkan stated that the court is not an impartial court and said, “We will not make a defense because we are doubtful about the court decisions.”

Ayşe Gökkan chanted the slogan, “Jin Jiyan Azadî”

Ayşe Gökkan chanted the slogan, “Jin Jiyan Azadî” while making victory signs as a response to the retrial. The next hearing of the retrial will be held on January 18, 2013.