Court jails 45 university students in Turkish capital Ankara

Jail sentences have been given to 45 university students who staged a protest against then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the launch ceremony of a Turkish satellite in December 2012 at the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ). 

Each of the students was given a 10 month jail sentence on Sept. 20 for their protest during the launch ceremony of the "Göktürk-2" satellite, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The lawyers of the students requested their acquittal at the local Ankara court, saying their clients did not commit any crime. Three of the suspects' lawyers demanded that the announcement of the ruling be adjourned if their clients receive penalties. 

However, judge Avni Mis sentenced all 45 students to 10 months in prison on charges of "opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations" and "resisting a public official in order to prevent him from doing his duty." He adjourned the announcement of the sentence for the three suspects who requested it.
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