Lucie Wibberley and Russell Fraser of the Garden Court Crime Team acted for the defendant, instructed by Morgan Has Solicitors.
Following a 14-week trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury returned a Not Guilty verdict for the defendant, acquitting him of the allegation of being a member of a proscribed (terrorist) organisation, namely the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (‘PKK’).
He also no longer faces prosecution in relation to a related charge (of addressing a meeting in support of a proscribed organisation) the prosecution having decided, after a review of the case, to offer no evidence rather than seek a re-trial. A Not Guilty verdict was consequently directed by the court.
The defendant, a highly educated young professional, of impeccable good character, is a young man with a deep personal, academic and, as part of his working life, political interest in the democratic processes of the UK. He supports the struggle of the Kurdish people to establish their human rights, and cultural rights, within the framework of those democratic processes.
The case involved complex issues of Kurdish identity, political theory, and the distinction of legitimate political support for the aims and objectives of the Kurdish people, and the lawful political expression of those opinions of support, from being a member of a proscribed organisation.
After the conclusion of the case, the defendant stated:
“I am sincerely grateful to the jury, to my legal counsel, and to those who extended their support to me throughout the legal proceedings.
My academic and professional commitment to the Kurdish people’s pursuit of recognition, rights, and dignity through lawful and democratic means remains steadfast, and I look forward to continuing to engage with public life in that spirit.”
