Trial of Kuran’a Hizmet Vakfı member adjourned: ‘It is being deliberately prolonged’

The hearing for the trial of Ayhan Şengüler, a member of the Kuran’a Hizmet Vakfı, who is accused of abusing his wife, Fatma Nur Çelik, and his daughter, Hifa İkra, was held today at the Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse. 

While the Prosecutor submitted an opinion for the heirs to be invited to the file and for the defendant Ayhan Şengüler to be brought to the next hearing by force, the Presiding Judge stated that the request to bring the defendant to the hearing would be evaluated, and the decision regarding the judge's recusal was sent to the 3rd High Criminal Court. 

On the other hand, while the Istanbul Bar Association requested the removal of the confidentiality order, the court panel rejected this request from the Bar Association.

The hearing was adjourned until 10:00 on October 14.

‘I DO NOT THINK IT IS PROCEEDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW’

Regarding the case, Fatma Nur Çelik’s lawyer, Buse Naz Güneş, said, “As a lawyer who has been dealing with the file since the very beginning of the prosecution phase, I certainly do not think that the panel hearing the case is making an assessment in accordance with the law and justice.” 

Furthermore, Güneş stated, “Throughout this entire trial process, we have already requested the recusal of the judge and filed complaints with the HSK (Council of Judges and Prosecutors) due to all the unlawful behaviors and decisions that have occurred. But we have certainly not received any results. I do not think the process is proceeding in accordance with the law.”

‘IT COULD NOT BE DONE BETTER’

“One of the reasons why two innocent people are under the ground today and why such a grave result has emerged in the file regarding this incident is the judicial branch,” commented Lawyer Güneş, adding, “Because if everything had proceeded in a lawful and fair manner, perhaps Fatma and Hifa would still be with us today. Fatma’s last hope was broken in the courthouse building, and this is a very painful situation. I mean, these buildings were supposed to be a source of hope for victims, but for some reason, they have turned into four walls that destroy the last hope of victims.”

Additionally, while describing the adjournment of the hearing as “being deliberately prolonged,” Lawyer Güneş said, “If one were to make a special effort to ensure the perpetrator does not receive a sentence or serve time in prison, it could not be done better than this.” 

‘WHY ARE SO MANY POLICE LINED UP?’

Lawyer Güneş stated, “We are still making requests for detention, and our requests for detention are still being rejected. It is unclear where the perpetrator is. In other words, there is actually a very delayed sentencing decision, and as I said, this delay cost two people their lives,” and added, “I also think that we are being treated with extreme disrespect in terms of the police lined up in front of the courtroom today. I mean, does this system, which does not protect victims and does not take the necessary precautions regarding perpetrators, line up police in front of us lawyers? We are running around in courthouses to defend the law, which no one cares about and which many people trample upon; what threat do we pose to anyone that so many police are lined up in front of us? Every citizen present there leaves their work and waits for hours in the courtroom at the crack of dawn, so that a decision that is at least slightly fair and in accordance with the law can be reached. Why are so many police lined up in front of these citizens?”

‘I FIND IT DISRESPECTFUL’

Concluding her remarks, Lawyer Buse Naz Güneş said, “While we argue that we are facing an extremely reactionary and dark structure, these measures, which were not taken in any way, were taken against us today as if we lawyers were ‘a threat element.’ I do not know why the panel attempted to take such measures, but frankly, I find it very disrespectful.”

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞALOĞLU