News Center- On June 17, 2021, Onur Gencer, who entered the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) headquarters in the city of Izmir and killed Deniz Poyraz. The seventh hearing of the murder trial was held at Şakran prison today. The family of Deniz Poyraz, the representatives of political parties, NGOs, Izmir Peace Mothers’ Initiative, HDP Co-chair Mithat Sancar, HDP MPs and many citizens gathered in front of the courthouse to issue a joint statement. After the joint statement, the members of the Women are Stronger Together issued a statement.

Reading the statement on behalf of the women, Didar Gül said, “The murder of Deniz is the most obvious form of misogyny and the patriarchal mentality. It aimed to intimidate those who resist. Alevis, women, workers, Kurds, LGBTI+s saw this intimidation and today they have taken to the streets to give their message in the strongest way. Those who murdered Deniz can use the dirtiest methods for the fascist system. They show their dirty methods by carrying out attacks. They use detention and arrest; however, they cannot make resisting people take a step back. For this reason, they continue to commit crimes. Today, we are in front of the courthouse. But we know that the patriarchal court cannot deliver justice so we, as women, will keep taking to the streets to seek justice.”

After the statements, the hearing started. However, the lawyers were prevented from entering the courtroom. Erinç Sağkan, the head of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, reacted to the prevention. “The courtroom is empty; there is only one defense lawyer. There is not even a complainant lawyer,” he said.

Fehime Poyraz: They are afraid of the Kurdish people

Reacting to the situation, Fehime Poyraz, mother of Deniz Poyraz, made a speech. I am neither afraid of the state nor the police, they are afraid of our shadow. They are afraid of the Kurdish people. The Turkish state supports the murderer,” she said in her speech.

The court has sentenced Onur Gencer to aggravated life imprisonment for “committing the murder in the first degree”, to four years in prison for “causing damage to property”, to two years for “violation of the immunity of residence” and to three years in prison for “opposition to gun law.”