A Van criminal court ruled that archaeologist Ahmet Kinay wasn’t guilty of conducting terrorist propaganda, charges that he had been facing since 2018.

The case against Kinay was built on photographs he shared on social media where he was seen with the flag.

However, the Van court that tried the case noted that the Kurdistan Region is considered a federal state in the Iraqi constitution that passed in a 2005 referendum.

“The region is a government formed in a region where Kurds are in majority, and simply used their right to self-determination,” said the Van court ruling.

Noting the constitutionality of the state, the court said that it should be distinguished from the PKK and the Kurdistan Communities (KCK), which Ankara dubs “the urban wing of the PKK.”

The Van court ruled that Kinay’s social media posts did not qualify as “terrorist propaganda that legitimizes, praises or encourages the use of force,” and the Erzurum regional court assented in an appeal.

Archaeologist Ahmet Kinay said that the court ruling was a historical turning point, as it sets precedent for people who are jailed for or charged with similar charges.

“I’m happy personally and for the community. This wasn’t just about me,” Kinay said.

The archaeologist noted that the court ruling “legitimizes the Kurdistan flag” in Turkey, whereas before, it would only be used during diplomatic visits, but be considered criminal otherwise.

Kınay said that one of the photos was taken at a display at Van Yuzuncu Yil University, where university representatives from Iraq’s Duhok region displayed the KRG flag.

The other photo where Kınay was seen with the flag was taken at the funeral of Peshmerga General Sait Çurukkaya.

Reporter’s code: 50101