Retrial in the MİT trucks case: Erdem Gül's file sent to the prosecutor's office for final opinion
The trial of Adalar Mayor Erdem Gül, regarding the stopping of MİT trucks, continued on charges of "knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization, despite not being part of the hierarchical structure within the organization."
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The trial regarding the publication of images related to the stopping of MİT trucks continued. Following the reversal decision by the 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, Erdem Gül and CHP MP Enis Berberoğlu had appeared before the judge again on September 13. The court had ruled to suspend the trial of Enis Berberoğlu, who regained his parliamentary immunity after being re-elected, and to separate the file of Erdem Gül.
The retrial of Erdem Gül began at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court. The defendant, who is being tried without arrest, attended the hearing with his lawyers.
Making his defense at the hearing, Gül stated that he did not legally accept the Court of Cassation's reversal decision and requested that the court resist the decision and acquit him. Announcing its interim decision, the court panel decided to send the file to the prosecutor's office for the preparation of the final opinion and adjourned the hearing.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
In the trial held at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court, Erdem Gül, the former Ankara Representative of Cumhuriyet newspaper, had been sentenced to 5 years in prison for "disclosing information that should remain secret for the security of the state".
Gül, who was acquitted of the charge of "attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from performing its duties, in whole or in part, by using force and violence", had his file separated regarding the charge of "knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization without being a member".
CAN DÜNDAR WAS ALSO TRIED IN THE SAME FILE
On March 9, 2018, the Court of Cassation completed its review of the local court's decision and issued a reversal ruling. In the retrial regarding the files in which Can Dündar was also a defendant, the court separated Erdem Gül's file on May 7, 2018.
While the court decided to acquit Gül on July 16, 2018, on the grounds that the crime of "espionage" was not proven, a dismissal ruling was issued for Gül on May 15, 2019, in the case heard for "aiding the organization".
The file, for which the Court of Cassation issued a new reversal decision, was sent back to the local court.