"This case will go down in history as a stain on justice"

Independent MP for İskeçe, Burhan Baran, has issued a statement regarding the court ruling against him, describing the verdict as politically motivated.

Baran stated:
"I have been tried on baseless and unjust accusations, resulting in a prison sentence. Observing the course of this trial, both the public and legal experts have raised serious doubts that the decision was driven more by politics than by legal reasoning."

In his written statement, Baran emphasized:

"The fundamental principle of justice is an impartial and independent judicial process. However, at times, courts may render decisions influenced by external pressures or misinterpretations. The case concerning an event that took place eleven years ago, which has recently gained public attention, is a clear example of this."

He further argued that:

The evidence presented by the defense was disregarded.
Witness testimonies were not given due consideration.
He was denied the opportunity for a fair trial, instead being placed under suspicion.
Baran warned that the rule of law had been ignored, and the justice system had been weaponized for political retaliation. He noted that legal experts and human rights advocates have condemned the decision as a legal scandal that wounds public conscience.

He also pointed to an increasing trend of legal cases against minority representatives, stating:

"Many individuals are being prosecuted and sentenced on baseless charges due to the political climate. Such verdicts undermine not only individual freedoms but also trust in the impartiality and credibility of the judicial system."

Baran concluded his statement with a strong declaration:

*"This case will go down in history as a stain on justice. To uphold the rule of law, this verdict must be reviewed. We have exercised our right to appeal, as justice should not serve personal or political agendas but rather ensure fair trials.

I hope that one day, this decision will be rectified, and both myself and others who have suffered injustice will regain our freedom."