The German Federal Court has issued its decision on the appeal of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayas. Kenan, who was sentenced to four years and three months in prison by the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg on September 2, 2024, appealed because the only charge against him, namely participation in a terrorist organization, was not substantiated in any of the hearings.
According to the announcement, the Three-Member Court of Appeal unanimously rejected on May 14, 2025, the defendant’s appeal against the decision of the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg, as no “legal error” was found against him.
Kenan Ayas continues to serve his sentence in a Hamburg prison, and responsibility has been transferred to the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Cyprus. It should be noted that in the conviction of September 2, the Larnaca District Court’s condition that he is to serve his sentence in a Cypriot prison if convicted was accepted. Therefore, Ayas’ defense team, through lawyer Efstathios C. Efstathiou, is expected to send a letter to Mr. Marios Hartsioitis, as he must request this from the German authorities.
At the same time, his defense counsel in Germany, Antonia von der Behrens, will apply to the German Ministry of Justice for the issuance of a certificate justifying the implementation of the above condition. Now diplomacy must “speak” so that the Kurdish activist Kenan Ayas, who was recognized as a political refugee in the Republic of Cyprus and who has never stopped repeating the need for the liberation of Cyprus and Kurdistan, does not have to spend any more days in such appalling conditions of detention.
Observatory on the trial of Kenan Ayas
May 28, 2025