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Three academics from İstanbul University charged for having signed the peace declaration, had the first hearing of their trials today. Their next hearing will be on May 8, 2018.

The hearings of the academics, standing trial for having signed the peace declaration "We will not be a party to this crime" , continued today (December 26) before İstanbul 36th Assize Court in three different courtrooms.

Trial of Academics for Peace members who signed the declaration entitled “We Will not be a Party to This Crime” continues on its fifth day.

According to the indictment prepared by Prosecutor İsmet Bozkurt, the academics are being charged with "Making Propaganda for a Terrorist Organisation", based on the Article 7/2 of the Turkish Anti-Terror Act and Article 53 of the Turkish Penal Code.

1st hearing

The first hearing was held for an academic, Melda Tunçay, on the third day of the trial of the peace declaration signatories.

The trial of retired chemistry professor from Marmara University Melda Tunçay was held at the 36th Heavy Penal Court. Tunçay’s colleagues and lawyers attended the hearing.

In his statement of defense, Tunçay said that he signed the declaration with humanitarian considerations. His lawyers demanded his acquittal.

The Organizing Committee of the Graduate Workers of Columbia University – UAW Local 2110 severely condemns the Turkish government’s continued assault on dissenting voices amongst Turkish faculty and students, and stand in solidarity with the signatories of the January 2016 Peace Petition now facing a fresh round of criminal indictments. Read our full statement here: