A new indictment has been framed by the Public Prosecutor of İstanbul for Kurdish musician Ferhat Tunç due to his social media posts and the cover of his latest music album, “Anthems and Lamentations”.
The album cover features photographs of Deniz Gezmiş, Mahir Çayan and İbrahim Kaypakkaya – revolutionary figures of youth movements. They have interpreted in the indictment as constituting “crime elements”.
Some of Tunç’s posts shared on social media have also been included in the indictment as “crime elements”. Those posts related to reports on anti-war demonstrations held in Europe and an appeal regarding the hunger strike which had been carried out by Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair, Leyla Güven.
The indictment was approved by İstanbul’s 37th High Criminal Court. The court has consolidated a trial for these “crime elements” with another one of Tunç’s.
Tunç has responded by stating that the opening of a case against him over an album cover is “shameful justice”. He added that the prosecuting institutions are acting on the instructions of the government, disregarding justice and using his social media posts from years ago as an excuse to criminalise him.
A defiant Tunç stated that he will not stop performing his music and art.
