Hrant Dink's killer Ogün Samast continues to be tried in FETÖ case! 'I have no connection'

The trial of Ogün Samast, who murdered Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink in an armed attack on January 19, 2007, continued today. The case, in which he is charged with 'committing a crime on behalf of an armed terrorist organization without being a member,' carries a potential prison sentence of 5 to 10 years and has been merged with a file involving 11 defendants, including Ali Fuat Yılmazer, Ramazan Akyürek, and Ersin Yolcu.

Non-detained defendant Ogün Samast connected to the hearing from the Trabzon Courthouse via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). Defendants Ali Fuat Yılmazer and Ramazan Akyürek participated in the hearing via SEGBİS from the prisons where they are held. Some of the other detained and non-detained defendants also connected to the hearing via SEGBİS. Lawyers for the parties were also present in court.

DISMISSAL OF THE CASE HAD BEEN REQUESTED

In the opinion presented at the previous hearing, it was requested that the case against defendants Ogün Samast, Ahmet İskender, Erhan Tuncel, Ersin Yolcu, Tuncay Uzundal, Yasin Hayal, and Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, regarding the charge of "committing a crime on behalf of an armed criminal organization," be dismissed due to the 'statute of limitations.' While the prosecutor requested up to 15 years in prison for defendant Adem Sağlam for "being a member of an organization," he requested aggravated life sentences for Ramazan Akyürek and Ali Fuat Yılmazer for "violating the Constitution."

"THE TRIAL WAS PROLONGED BY MISLEADING THE COURTS"

Dink family lawyer Havva Hülya Deveci stated in her declaration against the opinion, "Immediately after the murder was committed, we conveyed our thoughts and allegations that this murder was committed within the scope of an organization. In the investigation files opened, the political link of the murder was persistently severed. We do not agree with the opinion because the trial was prolonged by misleading the courts."

"OGÜN SAMAST WAS PRACTICING SHOOTING BEFORE THE MURDER"

In his defense against the opinion, defendant Erhan Tuncel said, "When I heard that Hrant Dink would be killed, I informed the police, who had a unit to prevent the assassination. Later, the murder took place due to negligence in preventing the assassination. I am the one who reported the assassination to the state to have it prevented. After the incident, I learned that nothing was done to prevent it. The documents were destroyed by intelligence. This is a conspiracy against me by this intelligence. They tried to pin the murder on me. The responsible parties were not brought to justice by the FETÖist judges and prosecutors of that period. The Trabzon Intelligence Branch protected Yasin Hayal. Ogün Samast was practicing shooting before the murder. They had the information. Measures should have been taken for the victim with an 'urgent' code. The Istanbul Police were warned several times. The name of Agos Newspaper is also mentioned in these warnings. The Istanbul Police did not move."

"I WAS JUST A ROOMMATE"

In his defense against the opinion, defendant Tuncay Uzundal stated that he was Erhan Tuncel's roommate and that he had no connection to the incident or FETÖ, and requested his acquittal. Defendant Adem Sağlam said, "It turned out that I had no responsibility in the file previously opened regarding the murder, and I was included in the file opened later. All the work and transactions I performed were in accordance with the procedure. I agree with the opinion and request my acquittal."

"I HAVE NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER TO FETÖ"

Defendant Ogün Samast, in his defense against the opinion, stated, "I have no connection whatsoever to FETÖ. I do not accept the accusation in the indictment of 'committing a crime on behalf of FETÖ without being a member of FETÖ.' I request the dismissal of the case. I want your court to comply with the opinion."

Other defendants Ramazan Akyürek, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, and Ersin Yolcu also denied the charges and requested their acquittal. Yasin Hayal stated that he had nothing to say against the opinion.

FINAL EXTENSION GRANTED TO YILMAZER

The defense of defendant Ali Fuat Yılmazer, whose lawyer did not attend the hearing by submitting an excuse, was not taken. The court noted that it had given Yılmazer a final extension to prepare his defense and that if his lawyer did not attend the next hearing, a lawyer would be requested from the bar association.

The court ruled for the continuation of the judicial control measure in the form of a travel ban for Ogün Samast and adjourned the hearing to January 10.