Prison sentence upheld for former judge who signed midnight release order

The judicial process regarding the unexpected midnight release of Naci Şerifi Zindaşti, known as an Iranian drug lord, has concluded. The two-year prison sentence handed down to former judge Cevdet Özcan, who ordered Zindaşti's release, for the crime of "misconduct in office" has been upheld by the General Assembly of Criminal Chambers of the Court of Cassation. During this process, Özcan had also been dismissed from his profession by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK).

Following a large-scale operation conducted in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece district in April 2018, Zindaşti and his associates were arrested and sent to prison on charges including violent crimes, incitement, and membership in a terrorist organization. However, Zindaşti's detention did not last long. Six months later, on October 19, 2018, Cevdet Özcan, the 5th Criminal Magistrate of Peace presiding over the case, ruled for the release of Zindaşti and some of his men in a decision made during the night hours.

Following this unexpected decision, Zindaşti and his men were released from prison. Although the prosecutor's office conducting the investigation immediately appealed the decision, the re-arrest warrant issued by the higher court came only after Zindaşti had already disappeared. Consequently, Zindaşti vanished after his release, and search efforts were initiated.

As a result of the disciplinary investigation launched by the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, it was decided that Özcan should be dismissed for acting in violation of professional ethics. The 5th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation subsequently began proceedings against Özcan. While the court acquitted him of bribery charges, it sentenced him to two years in prison for "misconduct in office." The file was finally brought to the General Assembly of Criminal Chambers of the Court of Cassation. In the review conducted there, the sentence given by the court was found to be appropriate, and the verdict became final.

Thus, the sentence given to former judge Cevdet Özcan, who was responsible for the release order that allowed the drug lord to regain his freedom and subsequently flee abroad, has been finalized in the eyes of the law.