Turkish court announces Gezi Park protests verdict


Istanbul's 55th Criminal Court Friday announced its verdict for 248 Turkish and seven foreign defendants in the main trial into the May 2013 Gezi Park protests, and sentenced 244 defendants to imprisonment with jail terms ranging from two and a half months to one year and two months.The jail sentences are likely to be executed as punitive fines in most cases. Seven defendants were acquitted, while four defendants' cases were separated from the others.Four defendants, including two assistant doctors, received 10 months jail term for the offense of "dirtying places of worship" in the occupation of Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Mosque case while the execution of the sentences was suspended.Remaining defendants received sentences on charges of violating the law for collective meetings and demonstrations, resisting public officials performing their duties, damaging public property and irregular use of special clothing.