Kurdish citizen accused of 'propaganda' for listening to Kurdish song from his phone

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  • 12:03 18 January 2022
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VAN - A law suit was filed against Sami Tay, who was detained in Van for listening to the Kurdish song "Erdale Pirsûsî" on his phone, on charges of "propagandizing a terrorist organization", demanding up to 5 years in prison.

 
A young man who was listening to a song in Kurdish from his phone in a park in the largely Kurdish city Van was stopped by the police. Tay was detained by the police for listening to a song performed by artist Şeyda Perinçek and released after being processed at the police station. His mobile phone was confiscated by the police who later prepared a report against Tay for 'propagandizing a terrorist organisation'. The report was accepted by Van 5th High Criminal Court.
 
THE SONG WAS TRANSLATED INTO TURKISH FOR INVESTIGATION
 
A section of the two page report consisted of the translation of the song  “Erdalê Pirsûsî”. The following statement was included in the report regarding the song, "It was understood that the music played in public by the suspect in order to ensure the adoption of the organisation and its purporse, showing that he is a supporter of the organisation. The song lyrics proved to be praising the violent and forceful methods of the organisation."
 
REQUEST OF IMPRISONMENT
 
In the indictment, a prison sentence of 10 months to 5 years was requested for Tay for 'propagandizing a terrorist organisation'.