Indictment prepared for the terrorist attack on the Istanbul Courthouse: New details emerge

An indictment has been prepared regarding the armed terrorist attack carried out on February 6, 2024, at the police checkpoint at Gate C of the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, which resulted in the death of one citizen.

The indictment, prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, lists a total of 19 people as 'suspects,' including Necmiye Birkoç and Nejla Birkoç, the sisters of neutralized terrorist Pınar Birkoç, as well as four individuals who are members of the organization's central committee.

THEY SPRAYED PEPPER SPRAY AT POLICE OFFICERS ON DUTY AND OPENED FIRE

The indictment states that on the day of the incident, DHKP/C terrorist organization members Emrah Yayla and Pınar Birkoç approached the D-block gate of the courthouse while police officers were conducting security checks. During the check, the militant Birkoç sprayed pepper spray into the faces of the officers for 2-3 seconds. At that moment, Yayla, who was behind Birkoç, fired at a police officer; when the weapon failed to discharge, he fired again, wounding the officer in the right foot.

RECORDED AS CAUSING THE DEATH OF 1 CITIZEN

The indictment notes that as one of the police officers began running toward the courthouse building and the other toward the C-block, both militants began running after the officer heading toward the C-block, firing at the officers. During this time, a citizen named Dilfiraz Karataş was wounded by the fire opened by the militants and later passed away at the hospital where she had been taken. The militants were neutralized after the police officers in the guard booth in front of the C-block returned fire as the militants approached the booth.

THE ORGANIZATION'S ‘CENTRAL COMMITTEE’ EXPOSED

The indictment states that the DHKP/C terrorist organization is managed by a structure called the 'central committee,' and that organization leaders play a role in the decision-making process for armed, bombing, or similar attacks. It was noted that suspects Zerrin Sarı, Fehriye Erdal, Seher Demir, and Musa Aşoğlu operate within the organization's central and general committee, and arrest warrants have been issued for these suspects. The indictment records that these organization leaders are in positions to divide tasks among members, issue instructions to members for actions, demonstrations, and propaganda activities in line with the organization's goals, and determine the hierarchy among members.

DETAILS OF THE ORGANIZATION'S HIERARCHY EMERGE

The indictment, which includes the organization's chart, states that in addition to the four suspects on the central committee, suspect Necmiye Birkoç is the so-called local area structure head, Ayten Öztürk is the so-called Turkey head, Seda Şaraldı is the so-called People's Law Office manager, Seher Adıgüzel is the Grup Yorum manager, Meryem Özsöğüt is the so-called health clinic manager, and Ulaş İnci is the so-called youth manager.

The indictment also notes that upon being taken into custody, the suspects displayed organizational behavior, strictly adhering to the rules in a booklet that dictates how organization members must act while in custody, such as going on hunger strikes, resisting at all stages, and refusing to sign documents.

UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON REQUESTED FOR 19 SUSPECTS

The indictment requests that fugitive suspects Zerrin Sarı, Seher Demir, Musa Aşoğlu, and Fehriye Erdal, along with suspects Necmiye Birkoç, Nejla Birkoç, Ayten Öztürk, Diyar Ersoy, Elif Ersoy, Ercan Güneş, Gamze Eroğlu, Hakan İnci, Hasan Karapınar, Meryem Özsöğüt, Nazan Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı, Oktay Kelebek, Seda Şaraldı, Seher Adıgüzel, and Ulaş İnci, be sentenced to between 7 years and 6 months and 15 years in prison each for the crime of 'membership in an armed terrorist organization.'

Meanwhile, it was learned that a decision of non-prosecution was issued regarding the killed terrorists Emrah Yayla and Pınar Birkoç for the crimes of 'attempting to overthrow the constitutional order,' 'intentional killing,' 'damaging public property,' 'premeditated murder,' and 'membership in an armed terrorist organization.' The trial of the suspects will begin on October 31 at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court.