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Prosecutor's request in the trial of Ogün Samast: Dismiss the case

The prosecutor, presenting their opinion in the trial regarding the murder of AGOS Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink, requested that the case against the gunman Ogün Samast and 6 other defendants be dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

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AGOS Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink’s murder trial saw the prosecutor present their opinion, requesting that the case against the gunman Ogün Samast and 6 other defendants be dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

Hrant Dink's killer, Ogün Samast, was released on November 15, 2023. The indictment prepared against Samast, seeking a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months to 12 years for the charge of "committing a crime on behalf of an organization without being a member of an armed terrorist organization," had been accepted by the Istanbul 2nd Juvenile High Criminal Court.

The new case opened against Samast was merged with the case at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court, where 11 defendants, including Yasin Hayal, Ramazan Akyürek, Ali Fuat Yılmazer, and Erhan Tuncel, were being tried on allegations of acting in line with the goals of FETÖ regarding the murder of Dink.

The defendant Ogün Samast, who is not in custody, connected to the hearing from Trabzon via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). Detained defendants Ali Fuat Yılmazer and Ramazan Akyürek also participated in the hearing via SEGBİS from the prisons where they are held. Some other defendants also connected to the hearing via SEGBİS. Lawyers for the parties were also present in court.

Ali Fuat Akdağ, who had previously given a statement claiming that one of the defendants, Adem Sağlam, attended FETÖ meetings, was heard as a witness at the hearing. Witness Akdağ said, "It has been almost 10 years since I gave my statement, I don't remember many things. I wouldn't recognize Adem Sağlam if I saw him now. My statements from that period are correct."

CASE AGAINST 7 DEFENDANTS DISMISSED

According to T24's report, the prosecutor, in their opinion on the merits, requested that the files for defendants Faruk Sarı and Yahya Öztürk, who have not been apprehended, be separated; and that the case against Ahmet İskender, Erhan Tuncel, Yasin Hayal, Tuncay Uzundal, Ogün Samast, Zeynel Abidin Yavuz, and Ersin Yolçu regarding the charge of "committing a crime on behalf of an organization" be dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The prosecutor requested the acquittal of Adem Sağlam on the charges of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order," "intentional killing by omission," and "intentional killing," while requesting his punishment for the charge of "membership in an organization." The prosecutor also requested that the detained defendants Ali Fuat Yılmazer and Ramazan Akyürek be punished for the charge of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order."

Taking the floor at the hearing, defendant Ogün Samast said, "I agree with the opinion, I do not request additional time for defense."

ADJOURNED TO OCTOBER 16

The defendants and their lawyers requested time to make statements against the opinion on the merits. Accepting the request, the court adjourned the hearing to October 16.

WITH PRAYER BEADS IN HAND

The moment Hrant Dink's killer, Ogün Samast, left the courthouse was captured as follows: