The appeal by conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu against the decision taken by the Military Court will be held today.
In a statement by the Initiative for Conscientious Objection in Cyprus, there will be an appeal made today against the decision of the Military Court taken on 3 January, Karapaşaoğlu’s lawyer Öncel Polili said.
Karapaşaoğlu, who was fined 2,000TL for refusing to serve in the army reserve and refused to pay the fine, was sentenced to 20 days imprisonment. He will appear in court today to appeal on the grounds that the decision by the military court violates articles 5 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Halil Karapaşaoğlu, who is a student at Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta has, for the past four years, refused to do his military service as a conscientious objector. There are around 20 other conscientious objectors facing jail time or who have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights.
The Council of Ministers has drafted an amendment to military law so that conscientious objectors can serve their time in a civilian capacity instead. The motion is beginning debated at the TRNC Assembly.
Havadis
