A court in the northwestern city of Sakarya sentenced a man who raided an English language course in the city in February and took hostages to protest "American imperialism."

Erdal K., who is 51-years old, was sentenced to 35 years in prison yesterday by the court for property damage and violation of freedoms. His lawyers appealed the verdict.

The defendant, armed with a pistol, stormed the American Life language course on Feb. 23, firing shots and taking seven people inside hostage. The hostage crisis ended hours later after police raided the place and arrested Erdal K.