2 million dollar release allegation: Notable defense in the Murat Kapki and Mücahit Birinci case
Mücahit Birinci, who is being tried on allegations of attempting to force Murat Kapki to sign a false statement in prison and promising his release in exchange for 2 million dollars during the IMM case process, denied the accusations and requested his acquittal. The court has taken under consideration the request to bring the footage of the prison meeting into the case file.
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One of the "statements under pressure and threat" allegations that emerged during the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) case process has been brought to court. Former AKP MKYK member and lawyer Mücahit Birinci appeared before a judge for the first time in the case opened against him on allegations that he attempted to make imprisoned businessman Murat Kapki sign a "false statement" in prison and guaranteed his release in exchange for 2 million dollars.
Birinci attended the hearing held at the Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court. Kapki was not present in the courtroom as he was attending the IMM case hearing.
According to the report by Cumhuriyet, Birinci denied the accusations in his defense, stating that his meeting with Kapki in prison lasted 20-25 minutes and that the issue of money was never brought up. Birinci said, "I have never stepped outside the boundaries of my profession. None of the statements are true. They are one-sided, abstract claims. The money issue was not discussed during the 20-25 minute meeting. I met with him at Kapki's insistence. I asked him to issue a power of attorney."
Claiming that Kapki had already benefited from effective remorse provisions before him, Birinci argued that Kapki had told him during the meeting that he wanted to apply in that direction as well. Birinci stated that he did not make any commitment for release in exchange for a specific amount of money and requested his acquittal.
Birinci said, "My personal opinion is that he had the intention of politically neutralizing the investigation file he is involved in. I think I am a victim of this matter while he was trying to achieve this through me."
FOOTAGE OF THE PRISON MEETING REQUESTED
Kapki's lawyer, Erdem Nacak, requested at the hearing that the footage regarding the meeting held between Birinci and Kapki in prison be brought into the case file. The presiding judge stated that they would consult with the relevant authorities regarding whether it is legal to request the footage and that the request would be evaluated.
Nacak also stated that Kapki attends the IMM case hearings from Monday to Thursday and requested that the next hearing be held on a Friday. The court adjourned the hearing to Friday, October 23, at 11:00.