Prosecutor of the Ergenekon plot disappears... Tension erupts in the courtroom...

Müyesser YILDIZ

Mehmet Ali Pekgüzel, one of the key defendants in the trial against former judges and prosecutors who served during the investigation and prosecution phases of the Ergenekon plot—accused of "deprivation of liberty, misconduct in office, and forgery of documents"—has effectively disappeared. After leaving his defense unfinished, Pekgüzel failed to attend subsequent hearings, leading to a court order for his forced appearance; however, he was not brought to today's session either. The court's decision to end the hearing without hearing the requests of the participants caused tension. Attorney Nusret Sanem reacted by saying, "This is not how a trial is conducted. You are biased," prompting the Presiding Judge to order that a record be made of the incident.

In the case heard by the 8th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation acting as a court of first instance, the defendants' defenses against the prosecutor's final opinion had been completed, with only the defense of former prosecutor Mehmet Ali Pekgüzel remaining. Pekgüzel began his defense last month but subsequently failed to attend hearings without providing a justification. Consequently, a decision was made to have him brought to the hearing by force.

However, it was observed that Pekgüzel was not brought to today's hearing either.

In the hearing attended only by defendants Mehmet Murat Yönder, who is detained on charges of membership in an organization, and non-detained defendant Hüsnü Çalmuk, the Presiding Judge read the incoming documents and then took the statements of the defendants, lawyers, and the Prosecutor. When the lawyers stated that they had no comments on the incoming documents but wished to make a statement, the Presiding Judge said, "Later."

After the Prosecutor requested that the requests for the expansion of the prosecution be rejected and that a decision be made in line with the final opinion on the merits, the Presiding Judge announced that the decision of the 9th Criminal Chamber regarding the recusal requests of defendants Hasan Hüseyin Özese and Hüsnü Çalmuk would be awaited, and therefore adjourned the hearing to May 20, ending the session.

When lawyers Hüseyin Buzoğlu and Nusret Sanem reminded the court that they wished to make a statement, the Presiding Judge replied, "The hearing is over." Upon Attorney Sanem's reaction, "You are presenting us with a fait accompli. This cannot be," the bailiff asked the lawyers to leave, while the Presiding Judge warned, "Watch your words." When Attorney Sanem continued her reaction by saying, "This is not how a trial is conducted. You are biased," the Presiding Judge instructed the officials to prepare a report.