Halit Ergenç and Rıza Kocaoğlu sentenced to prison
In a case related to the Gezi Park investigation, well-known Turkish actors Halit Ergenç and Rıza Kocaoğlu were tried on charges of falso testimonio and each was sentenced to several months in prison. The court sentenced Ergenç to un año, 10 meses, y 15 días, and Kocaoğlu to un año y 8 meses in prison.
The charge relates to allegations of providing false testimony in a case brought against Ayşe Barım, a talent manager. It is claimed that she encouraged the artists under her management to participate in protests during the Gezi Park events.
The court session was held at the 24th Criminal Court of Istanbul. In this session, Halit Ergenç appeared without being detained and accompanied by his lawyer, and in his defense, he stated:
Solo contesté las preguntas que me hicieron. No oculté nada y, si me hubieran preguntado por alguna reunión o contacto, habría respondido con honestidad y la conciencia tranquila. La sinceridad es un concepto relativo; en nuestra industria podemos aparecer en fotos amistosas con mucha gente, pero eso no significa necesariamente que tengamos relaciones cercanas. Uno de mis arrepentimientos es no haber demandado en su momento por la publicación de fotos en redes sociales, porque las acusaciones eran increíbles. Había una multitud humana allí, pero parecía que estábamos en primera fila. Respondí solo lo que me preguntaron y cuando me preguntaron por Ayşe Barım dije que no la conocía lo suficiente como para saber de qué hablaba con ellos. Como no tuve intención y no se cumplieron los elementos legales del delito, solicito la absolución.
He also added that if he had the opportunity back then, he would have filed a lawsuit against the publication of some of his photos on social media. Ergenç ended his defense by requesting absolución.
Sentencia y reacciones
The judge, considering the respectful behavior of the defendants during the hearings, found them guilty of "perjury" but suspended the execution of the sentence. Accordingly, both individuals can benefit from a "suspension of sentence."
After the verdict was announced, Halit Ergenç said to the judge in a surprised tone:
¿Entonces, mentí?
He appeared visibly upset and, in response to the judge’s suggestion to appeal the verdict, said: “We will appeal,” and left the courthouse without answering questions from the reporters.
