Faruk Koca had been released: New development in the Halil Umut Meler assault case

The 4 defendants who assaulted referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match in the 15th week of the Super Lig, including former Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca, will appear before the judge tomorrow (January 9) at the Ankara West 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance.

In the investigation conducted by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Faruk Koca, Kenan Çelikkaya, Osman Erkam Can, and Şahin Yunus Şahin were arrested on December 12, 2023, on charges of "intentional injury resulting in bone fracture in a sports field due to the public duty performed by the person," "attempted intentional injury resulting in bone fracture in a sports field due to the public duty performed by the person," "threat," and "violation of the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports."

The indictment was accepted by the Ankara West 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance on December 15.

Upon the objection of their lawyers, the defendants were released under judicial control on December 27.

The first hearing of the case will be held tomorrow at the West 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment, Meler is listed as the "complainant," while former Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca, Kenan Çelikkaya, Osman Erkam Can, and Şahin Yunus Şahin are listed as "suspects."

For the suspect Koca, it was requested that he be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 3 years and 4 months to 10 years, 1 month, and 15 days for the crime of "intentional injury resulting in bone fracture in a sports field due to the public duty performed by the person," from 6 months to 2 years for the crime of "threat," and from 3 months to 1 year or a judicial fine for "violation of the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports."

In the indictment, it was requested that Çelikkaya and Şahin be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 3 years and 4 months to 10 years, 1 month, and 15 days for the crime of "intentional injury resulting in bone fracture in a sports field due to the public duty performed by the person," and from 3 months to 1 year or a judicial fine for the crime of "violation of the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports."

For Can, it was requested that he be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 1 year and 6 months for the crime of "attempted intentional injury resulting in bone fracture in a sports field due to the public duty performed by the person," and from 3 months to 1 year or a judicial fine for the crime of "violation of the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports."

A ban on attending sports events was also requested for the suspects in accordance with Article 18 of the Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports.