Breaking News: New development in the trial of Dilan Polat and Engin Polat

The 28 defendants, including Dilan and Engin Polat, 4 of whom are in custody, appeared in court again on the second day of the trial where they face charges of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes," "laundering assets derived from crime," and "violating the Law on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions." The hearing, held at the Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, was attended by detained defendant Ahmet Gün, and non-detained defendants Dilan Polat, Sinem Sıla Doğu, Can Doğu, and others. Detained defendants Engin Polat, Sezgin Polat, and Alper Kürşat Polat attended via SEGBIS (Audio and Visual Information System). During the hearing, the defenses of the 28 suspects, 4 of whom are in custody, were taken. Subsequently, the defense attorneys' arguments on the merits were presented.

“A FAMILY HAS BEEN DEVASTATED”

Presenting the defense on the merits, Dilan Polat's lawyer Sevinç Horoz stated, "A family has been devastated. Bank accounts have been blocked, and people have been rendered unable to sustain their lives. There is no concrete evidence in the file. I request the release of my client Engin Polat. I demand that the measures on their assets be lifted." The lawyers for the other defendants also requested the acquittal of their clients.

During the hearing, the Public Prosecutor requested that items belonging to the defendants held in custody, which have been imaged and no longer carry evidentiary value, be returned to the defendants. The prosecutor requested that the requests of defendants who wished to be excused from attending hearings be accepted, as their defenses had already been taken. The prosecutor requested that the requests to lift the measures placed on the defendants' assets be denied. The prosecutor only requested that the restrictions on the retirement pensions of defendants whose pensions were restricted be lifted.

REQUESTED CONTINUATION OF DETENTION

Regarding the defendants subject to judicial control measures, such as a travel ban and a requirement to sign in, the prosecutor requested that the signature requirement be lifted, noting that there is evidence in their favor. The prosecutor requested that the travel ban remain in place. Considering that there has been no change in favor of the detained defendants Engin Polat, Sezgin Polat, Alper Kürşat Polat, and Ahmet Gün that would necessitate their release, that the grounds for the arrest warrant still persist, the nature and character of the crimes charged, and the suspicion of flight, the prosecutor requested that the detention of the imprisoned defendants continue. The court is expected to announce its interim decision tomorrow.

‘DO NOT WITHHOLD YOUR PRAYERS’

After the hearing, Dilan Polat, who did not make a statement to the press, was seen kissing the hand of her daughter Nilda Polat and walking while holding her hand. Sıla Doğu told members of the press, 'Do not withhold your prayers.'

News Source: İHA