5 defendants released in trial for threatening Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin: 'It is an assassination attempt'

The first hearing of the trial involving 13 defendants, including Mustafa Kemal Zengin, who threatened Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin—the prosecutor leading the 'Newborn Gang' investigation—in his office, continued for its second day. At the hearing held at the Bakırköy 21st High Criminal Court, the complainant, Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, was present along with 6 detained and 2 non-detained defendants, including Mustafa Kemal Zengin and Aylin Arslantatar, as well as the parties' lawyers.

"THIS IS AN ATTACK ON THE JUDICIARY"

Speaking at the hearing, Ahmet Fırat Burkucu, the lawyer for the complainant Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, stated, "The act being tried here today is not just an assassination attempt against an individual, but an assassination attempt against a public prosecutor. This is an attack on the judiciary. It is impossible for us to accept the defendants' statements. Yavuz Engin's personal information and photos are being shared on WhatsApp. He is not only being threatened, but actions are being taken. My client's vehicle is checked, and 20 minutes later, Aylin Arslantatar provides all his information, including his family's details, in Bolu. This is not an act committed by one person alone. We demand the arrest of all non-detained defendants. One of the defendants even had the audacity to say to Yavuz Engin, 'You are the real gang leader here'."

DEMAND FOR CONTINUED DETENTION

When asked for his opinion at the hearing, the Public Prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention for the imprisoned defendants, citing concrete evidence that they had committed the crime.

Defending himself against the prosecutor's opinion, defendant Aylin Arslantatar said, "The slander that you threatened me at the point where I was trying to protect you fits neither conscience nor humanity. I am entrusted to the state and to you, but I have become a toy in the hands of the prosecutor."

Regarding the prosecutor's request, defendant Mustafa Kemal Zengin stated, "The file is built entirely on false statements. If there is an organization, we should know each other, but I don't even know some of the names in the file. There is nothing other than the slanderous statements fabricated by Muhammed Emin Orhan."

Defendant Aylin Arslantatar's lawyer, Ahmet Çakar, said, "Aylin, as a woman with maternal instincts, provided information to her friend Yavuz. Considering these points, we request my client's release and do not agree with the prosecutor's opinion."

The other defense lawyers also requested the release of their clients and the completion of missing procedural matters.

AYLİN ARSLANTATAR RELEASED

Announcing its interim decision, the court panel ruled for the release of detained defendant Aylin Arslantatar under 'house arrest' and a 'travel ban', and the release of detained defendants Gökhan Güler, Baki Çelik, Yavuz Çelik, and Muhammed Emin Orhan under a 'travel ban', while ordering the continued detention of defendant Mustafa Kemal Zengin, and adjourned the hearing.

News Source: İHA