The 2-year and 1-month prison sentence given to the directors was upheld after the final hearing of the lawsuit at the Batman 2nd Assize Court on 14 December 2023. The lawsuit was filed against director Çayan Demirel and journalist Ertuğrul Mavioğlu in 2017 for “making illegal organization propaganda.” The appeal at the Gaziantep Regional Court of Appeals was rejected, and the sentence was upheld. The lawyers have now appealed to the Court of Cassation and requested the decision to be overturned.
The social media account Çayan’la Dayanışma (Solidarity with Çayan) was opened to support Çayan Demirel. Demirel, who has completely lost his eyesight due to his health condition, is facing prosecution. In response, the account has launched a campaign with hashtags #ÇayanHapsedilemez, #BelgeselSinemaYargılanamaz (#ÇayanCannotBeJailed, #DocumentaryCinemaCannotBeJudged).
