News Center- Four people identified as A.T. (17), S.T. (17), Edanur Taşkesen (19), Filiz Taşkesen (42) and Tülin Taşkesen (21) were detained in dawn house raids in the city of Siirt on July 25, 2024 after they were targeted by some racist social media users when a video showing they are dancing halay to Kurdish music was shared on social media platforms. Then, they were sent to prison on charges of “Propagandizing for a (terrorist) organization”.

 The first hearing of the trial against them was held at the Siirt 13th High Criminal Court on Friday. Members of the Free Women’s Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA), Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) and many people monitored the hearing. The four people attended the hearing through Audio-Visual Information System (SEGBİS) from Batman F-type Closed Prison.

“We danced halay as we usually dance at the wedding parties. We did not know that dancing halay to Kurdish music was banned,” Filiz Taşkesen said at the hearing. The other defendants also said that they had not “propagandized” and demanded their release and acquittal.

The lawyers also demanded the release and acquittal of their clients, stressing that any intervention in the music played at wedding parties is the violation of freedom of expression, the constitution and the convention on human rights.

The prosecutor requested the release of the defendants pending the trial. The judge ruled the release of the four people pending the trial, banning them from travelling abroad. The next hearing will be held on November 26, 2024.