News Center- The first hearing of the trial against Kurdish musician Emel Çiftçi, who was arrested in Amed (Diyarbakır) on August 21, 2023 as part of an investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was held today by the Diyarbakır 4th High Criminal Court.

The Kurdish musician stood trial on charges of “membership in an (terrorist) organization” based on the statements made by the secret witness named Ulaş.

The secret witness attended the hearing through Audio-Visual Information System (SEGBİS). At the hearing, the witness claimed that Emel Çiftçi was “a so-called musician and a member of the (terrorist) organization”. Emel Çiftçi denied the accusations against her and stated that she did not know the persons had been mentioned by the secret witness. She indicated that she was receiving cancer treatment and demanded her release.

The court issued the release of Emel Çiftçi pending the trial and banned her from travelling abroad. The next hearing will be held on March 14, 2024.