The Adana 14th High Criminal Court sentenced Ali Sever to life imprisonment on Tuesday for the 2023 murder of Sacit Pişgin, the Adana Provincial Secretary of the Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR), who was fatally stabbed while praying at the party’s headquarters.

Sever also received an additional 11 years for the attempted murder of then-provincial chairman Salih Demir and one year for unlawful entry and privacy violations.

The high-profile case, which has sparked intense debate, concluded with a verdict that HÜDA PAR leaders described as significant but insufficient, citing the political motivations behind the attack. The courtroom saw the presence of HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yılmaz, complainant Salih Demir, legal representatives, and Pişgin’s widow. Sever participated via video link from prison.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Yapıcıoğlu condemned the murder as a politically motivated act fueled by pre-election propaganda against HÜDA PAR. “Sacit Pişgin was killed while in prayer, a deliberate act of hatred,” he said. “The assailant was influenced by intense black propaganda that falsely portrayed our party as illegitimate.” Yapıcıoğlu referenced Sever’s courtroom statements, where the defendant questioned HÜDA PAR’s legal status, as evidence of the impact of such rhetoric.

While acknowledging the severity of the life sentence, Yapıcıoğlu criticized the court for not fully recognizing the political context of the crime, describing it as a “political assassination” rather than an ordinary murder. He announced plans to appeal, arguing that the sentence should reflect aggravating factors tied to the attack’s motives.

Yapıcıoğlu dismissed Sever’s claims of mental instability, noting that two forensic reports confirmed the defendant’s mental competence. “His attempt to feign insanity was a tactic to evade justice, but the court saw through it,” he said.

The HÜDA PAR leader also raised suspicions of a broader conspiracy, stating, “This was not a lone act. No one kills a stranger without influence or support.” He suggested that others may have played a role in inciting or enabling the attack, pointing to Sever’s persistent denial of HÜDA PAR’s legitimacy.

In a broader call to action, Yapıcıoğlu urged political parties in Türkiye to moderate their rhetoric and avoid demonizing opponents. “Hostile discourse fuels violence,” he warned. “This tragedy shows the consequences of crossing that line.”

Pişgin’s murder, which occurred during a period of heightened political tension in 2023, shocked Türkiye and raised concerns about the safety of political figures. The 33-year-old father, a respected figure in HÜDA PAR’s Adana branch, was killed in a stabbing attack that also left Demir wounded. The incident prompted widespread calls for accountability and measures to curb political violence.

HÜDA PAR leaders vowed to continue seeking justice, including investigating any potential accomplices or instigators behind the attack, as the case reverberates across Türkiye’s political landscape. (ILKHA)