Turkish court reduces sentence of man who attacked CHP leader

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A Turkish court has reduced the sentence of a man who punched main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in 2019, considering his "future life."

The attack occurred in the capital city of Ankara’s Çubuk district on April 21, 2019, where Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked by a group at the funeral of a soldier.

The group attempted to attack Kılıçdaroğlu during the funeral and threw rocks at him. He then took refuge in a house in the area and had to wait indoors for hours before being evacuated.

Osman Sarıgün, who punched Kılıçdaroğlu, was sentenced to one year and 15 days in prison for "simple injury to a public official", but the announcement of the verdict was deferred. Sarıgün was also sentenced to one year, five months and 15 days for “insulting” Kılıçdaroğlu, and to two years and six months in prison for the charge of "inciting to commit a crime".

Sevim Gölyeri, who shouted "burn that house" where Kılıçdaroğlu took shelter, was sentenced to one year, five months and 15 days in prison for “insulting”, but the announcement of the verdict was deferred. Gölyeri was sentenced to three years and four months in prison for the crime of "restriction of freedom" for preventing Kılıçdaroğlu from leaving the house where he took shelter.

The detailed ruling of the case regarding the attack in question has been announced. The court reduced the sentences of Sevim Gölyeri and Osman Sarıgün, considering their “future life" and “goodwill” by one-sixth, ANKA News Agency reported on Sept. 20. 

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