Interim ruling in the case of the incident-filled derby: Fenerbahçe's Oosterwolde's defense revealed

The trial of 5 defendants, including Fenerbahçe footballers Jaden Quinn Oosterwolde and Mert Hakan Yandaş, regarding the incidents that occurred after the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby in the 37th week of the Super Lig last season, continued.

The hearing at the Istanbul 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance was attended by the complainant, stadium manager Ali Çelikkıran, the defendant Jaden Quinn Oosterwolde, who is being tried without arrest, and the lawyers of the parties.

During the identity verification, the defendant Oosterwolde stated that his monthly income is 100 thousand euros.

In his defense, which he made with the assistance of an interpreter during the hearing, the defendant Oosterwolde said that they had won the match on the day of the incident and were taking photos with a Fenerbahçe flag in the middle of the pitch to celebrate their victory.

Explaining that someone wanted to take the flag on the pitch after the photo was taken, Oosterwolde said, "Then many people gathered together; I don't know what happened either. I did not touch, kick, or hit anyone. To be honest, I don't even know why I am here. There were many people around me; I don't know if others hit anyone or not."

Fenerbahçe footballer Mert Müldür, who was heard as a witness, said, "As far as I remember, we wanted to take a photo there. At that moment, someone from the opposing team took down our flag. After that, things got chaotic. I did not see who hit whom or who hit Ali Çelikkıran."

Regarding the witness statement, the complainant Çelikkıran said, "I have nothing to say about Mr. Mert; he was just in that area. The defendant present in the courtroom hit me and kicked me. What is in the indictment is sufficient for me. The other defendants also hit me."

Announcing its interim ruling, the court decided to exempt the defendant Jaden Quinn Oosterwolde from attending the hearings.

The hearing was adjourned to September 18 to resolve missing matters.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, stadium manager Ali Çelikkıran is listed as the "complainant," while Fenerbahçe footballers Jaden Quinn Oosterwolde and Mert Hakan Yandaş, Fenerbahçe Club doctor Ertuğrul Karanlık, former Fenerbahçe executive Hulusi Belgü, and coach İsmail Kartal's son Emre Kartal are listed as "suspects."

The indictment describes that incidents broke out after the Fenerbahçe Sports Club technical staff, executives, and footballers entered the pitch to celebrate their victory following the match played at RAMS Park Stadium on May 19.

The indictment states that an investigation was launched against the suspects upon the application made to the prosecutor's office by Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Aydın Özbek, as well as Metin Öztürk and Erden Timur, through their lawyers; it also notes that the body camera footage of the police officers on duty on the pitch was requested from the Sports Security Branch Directorate, and that the received footage was examined and found to be silent.

The indictment includes information that stadium manager Ali Çelikkıran also filed a complaint and that a "cervical vertebra" (neck fracture) was detected in the medical report he submitted to the investigation file.

The indictment states that Çelikkıran was sent to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Branch Directorate along with his doctor's reports to obtain a report regarding his health status, and that according to the report, the C5 vertebra spinous process fracture detected in Çelikkıran was not of a minor nature that could be resolved with simple medical intervention, but rather one that did not endanger his life but had a moderate effect on his vital functions.

The indictment states that, based on the entire scope of the file, the suspects acted in unity of intent and action during the events that took place on the pitch after the match and assaulted Çelikkıran by kicking and punching him.

Pointing out that Hulusi Belgü came from behind Çelikkıran after the scuffle, pulled his hair, and hit him on the back, the indictment notes that the suspects committed the crime against the complainant in participation.

The indictment requests prison sentences ranging from 2 years and 3 months to 6 years and 9 months for each of the 5 defendants for the crimes of "intentional injury resulting in bone fracture or dislocation in the body" and "causing disturbance in sports areas and damaging facilities.".

News Source: AA