Journalists barred from Tanju Özcan's trial
The second hearing of the blackmail trial in Bolu, in which Tanju Özcan—who was suspended from duty by the Ministry of Interior and is currently detained in a separate case—is being tried as both a complainant and a defendant, has begun. Despite there being no official confidentiality order on the file, members of the press were not permitted to observe the hearing upon the judge's instruction.
İHA
The second hearing of the blackmail trial being held in Bolu has begun in a different court. The second session of the case, the first of which was held at the Bolu 6th Criminal Court of First Instance, is being heard at the Bolu 5th Criminal Court of First Instance.
HEARING HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
It was decided that today's session would be held behind closed doors. Despite there being no prior official restriction order regarding the court file, journalists were not allowed to enter the courtroom upon the judge's instruction.
Members of the press who arrived at the Bolu Courthouse to observe the hearing were stopped at the entrance of the courtroom by police teams. Law enforcement officers cited the judge's instruction as the reason for not allowing journalists to enter.
ÖZCAN TO PRESENT DEFENSE VIA SEGBİS
It was stated that Tanju Özcan, who is detained in connection with another case and was unable to attend the first hearing due to health issues, will present his defense in the second session by connecting from prison via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).
In the first hearing, the detained defendant Mehmet Eren Akgüney was released, and the hearing was adjourned for the completion of missing matters and the hearing of other witnesses.
Developments in the second hearing, which is continuing behind closed doors with the participation of the parties and their lawyers, are being followed.