ALBAWABA - Ayşe Barım, who is being tried without detention, and her counsel attended the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court hearing.
In defending the case, Barım argued that she had never experienced a process like this previously since January 2025.
Ayşe Barım revealed that she did not guide her performers to Gezi Park, focusing solely on her job.
Barım thanked the court for releasing her due to her health condition and stated that she is preparing for future surgery. Despite the lack of evidence in the file, severe punishment awaits me, even if all witness testimony supports my case. My lawyers will testify that I am innocent. Work-focused woman here. An acquittal and a life focused on my health are my goals."
Barım's lawyer, Sedat Özyurt, stated that the HTS, tape recording, and artist participation in Gezi Park do not prove consensual unity in the crime of "attempting to overthrow the government by force and violence."
Attorney Özyurt argued for Barım's acquittal, citing insufficient evidence of collaboration with Çiğdem Mater Utku and other inmates.
Deniz Ketenci, the defense counsel, denied any direct or indirect evidence of the crime against her client, citing allegations made by informant Sedat Gül on social media pages against Barım.
Attorney Ketenci demanded an acquittal for her client, stating the informant lied in court and that the Organized Crime Department (KOM) did not investigate the charges.
The judge declared the case will be determined and requested Barım's final remark.
Barım concluded, "I agree with my lawyers; I request my acquittal."
the verdict
Barım was sentenced to death for "attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey."
After finding Ayşe Barım guilty as an "accomplice," the panel reduced the sentence to 15 years. After considering Barım's lack of criminal history and behavior during the trial, the sentence was unanimously lowered to 12 years and 6 months.
The panel upheld a "travel ban" against Barım, citing evidence, ongoing treatment, papers, and the Forensic Medicine Institute findings.
The defendant and her counsel can appeal within two weeks, according to the verdict.
Ayşe Barım wailed after the verdict given in court.
From Indictment
The 171-page Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office indictment recalled Gezi Park protest planners and organizers.
The indictment, based on HTS data, revealed that Barım communicated with important figures in the Gezi Park trial, including Memet Ali Alabora, Çiğdem Mater, and Osman Kavala, during and after the protests.
The indictment revealed that defendant Ayşe Barım's conversations with Memet Ali Alabora began on May 30, 2013, during the Gezi Park protests, and ended on June 19, 2013. Alabora was not contacted outside of Gezi Park."
According to the indictment, Barım and her company, ID İletişim Danışmanlık Anonim Şirketi, promoted "occupyturkey" and "DirenGeziParkı" on social media during the Gezi uprising, particularly in the demonstration area.
According to the indictment, Ayşe Barım, through her ID Communication Consultancy company, coordinated with artists affiliated with her during the Gezi Park protests, gathering them in the park and actively participating in the uprising movement on behalf of the nationwide artistic community.
The indictment revealed that artists and Barım's ID Communication Consultancy company were involved in spreading the Gezi Park events, sharing slogans and images in squares and on social media from the start of the protests.
According to the accusation, Barım was responsible for ordering subordinate actors to participate in Gezi Park events through planning and organizing.
The indictment said Barım met with Alabora three times, Kavala 39 times, and Mater 14 times during the Gezi Park period, despite no prior interaction.
The indictment proposes a 22-year to 30-year prison sentence for Barım for "aiding and abetting the attempt to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey or to partially or completely prevent it from performing its duties by using force and violence."
