Ayşe Teacher, Who Said “Don’t Let Children Die”, is Sent to Prison with Her Baby

Teacher Ayşe Çekil was sued for "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" after she made a live call to the TV program “Beyaz Show” in December 2016 and addressed the civilian killings in southeastern Turkey.

21 April2018, Reha Ruhavioglu

“Are you aware of what is going on in Turkey’s southeast? Please see us, hear us and lend us your hands. Don’t let people die, don’t let children die, mothers shall not cry,” she said on the live TV program.

In the ruling passed by Bakırköy 2nd Heavy Criminal Court, Çekil was sentenced to one year and three months’ imprisonment and the ruling was approved by the high court. Ayşe Çekil’s lawyer demanded the suspension of the execution for her to breastfeed her baby and it was approved.

After the suspension period ended, Ayşe Çekil and her lawyer Mahsuni Karaman came to Diyarbakır Courthouse to demand a ten-day postponing of the execution; however the court rejected their demand. Upon that, Ayşe teacher and her baby Deran was sent to Diyarbakır Prison. Ayşe Çekil will serve 5 months and 10 days in prison unless the Supreme Court decides to cancel her sentence.