The charges are based on a speech Ferhat Tunç gave at the 1st Eruh-Çirav Nature and Culture Arts Festival. The indictment was prepared by the Public Chief Prosecutor of Diyarbakır in the predominantly Kurdish region of south-eastern Turkey, reported Bia News Center, Bianet.

Bianet talked to the singer. Ferhat Tunç said that he was ordered to court two weeks ago and gave his statement to the Public Prosecutor of Büyükçekmece, a district on the European side of Istanbul.

"We are surprised that the trial has been opened that quickly. Usually, it takes a couple of months", Tunç stated.

Un-detained defendant Ferhat Tunç is tried under article 7/2 of the Anti-Terrorism Law (TMY) (propaganda for an illegal organization). Additionally, the artist stands accused of "committing a crime on behalf of an organization without being a member of the organisation" according to article 220/6 of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK).

Ferhat Tunç will be tried at the Diyarbakır High Criminal Court.