Hrant Dink murder case file sent to prosecutor for final opinion
In the retrial of public officials regarding the murder of Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink, following the Supreme Court of Appeals' reversal decision concerning 15 defendants, the court has ruled to send the case file to the Prosecutor's Office for the preparation of the final opinion (mütalaa).
İHA
The retrial of public officials regarding the murder of Agos Newspaper Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink, which was partially reversed by the Supreme Court of Appeals for 15 defendants, has continued.
14 defendants, 7 of whom are in custody and 7 of whom are being tried without detention, connected to the hearing held at the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).
Defense attorneys for the defendants and lawyers for the Dink family were also present at the hearing.
"THE PROCESS LEADING TO THE MURDER MUST BE CLARIFIED"
During the hearing, Havva Hülya Deveci, one of the lawyers for the Dink family, requested that a letter be written to the General Staff to ask why and for what purpose the press release dated February 24, 2004, which was published on their website, was issued, and whether the report submitted to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Undersecretariat following the meeting with Hrant Dink at the Istanbul Governorship on the same date was forwarded to their institution.
Deveci also requested that it be asked who called Şenkal Atasungun from the General Staff and why he was asked to meet with Hrant Dink, stating that the murder cannot be fully clarified without shedding light on the process leading up to it.
"I DID NOT FLEE WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY"
In his defense at the hearing, defendant Hasan Durmuşoğlu said, "I did not flee or hide when I had the opportunity to do so at that time, but I have been unjustly detained for 2 and a half years. I request to be tried without detention."
Defendant Oğuz Karakaya stated in his defense that the investigation was conducted based on the dubious statements of Ogün Samast.
FINAL OPINION TO BE PREPARED
Announcing its interim decision, the court ruled for the continuation of the detention of defendants Gazi Günay, Hasan Durmuşoğlu, Muharrem Demirkale, Okan Şimşek, Osman Gülbel, Veysel Şahin, and Yavuz Karakaya, taking into account the nature of the crimes charged and the existing evidence. The panel also ruled to send the case file to the Public Prosecutor to prepare the final opinion and adjourned the hearing.