13 people who threatened prosecutor Yavuz Engin in the Newborn Gang case appear in court

Thirteen defendants, including Mustafa Kemal Zengin, who threatened Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin in his office during the investigation phase of the Newborn Gang case, will appear before a judge for the first time today. The trial will be held at the Bakırköy 21st High Criminal Court. The defendants are expected to present their defense statements during the hearing.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 3 people, including Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, are listed as complainants, while 13 people are listed as defendants.

The indictment states that the organization, which was determined to be preparing an assassination attempt against Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, who works at the Organized Crime and Terrorism Bureau of the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, is an armed intelligence organization with all kinds of capabilities and resources. It is noted that the group has connections with public institutions and organizations, can obtain technical information and support from public officials, possesses and has the ability to procure hand grenades, bulletproof vests, ammunition, cartridges, pistols, and other firearms, and has access to all types of armed transport vehicles. The indictment also states that the criminal organization, established under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Zengin, transferred personal data belonging to victims to the organization by using public powers, engaged in actions aimed at influencing the judiciary and justice, and maintained a strict chain of command and hierarchy between the members and the leader.

"PLEASE YAVUZ, IF YOU WANT TO STAY ALIVE, DO AS YOU ARE TOLD"

The indictment, which includes the application made by Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin to the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on September 4, 2024, explains that the investigation was launched after Prosecutor Engin reported that his vehicle was being followed, his home was being watched, he was being threatened, and that certain individuals harbored hatred and malice toward him due to the Newborn Gang investigation he was conducting, which they had discovered by searching his social media accounts. Yavuz Engin stated in his verbal complaint that on August 30, 2024, Aylin Arslantatar called him and said that an assassination was being planned in an environment involving intelligence officers and businessmen, that a 17-year-old hitman had been hired, and that the assassination would be carried out if Tuğçe Toptemel, who is currently in custody in the Newborn Gang investigation, was not released. He added that if this plan failed, his sister living in Ankara would be shot. Prosecutor Engin reported that Aylin Arslantatar told him, "Please Yavuz, if you want to stay alive, do as you are told; even if you don't fear for your own life, you have a wife, a child, and a family."

"THEY WANT TO CAUSE PAIN IN A VICIOUS WAY"

The indictment states that on October 1, 2024, Aylin Arslantatar and Mustafa Kemal Zengin came to the victimized Public Prosecutor's office. During the meeting, Zengin introduced himself as a former undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and currently an intelligence officer, and both Arslantatar and Zengin spoke of having very strong connections within the state. The indictment notes that defendant Mustafa Kemal Zengin told the victimized prosecutor, "They know about every step you take, your WhatsApp, the shooting range you go to, and your family in Bolu." During the meeting, Zengin's remarks that the people coming for the assassination were a professional team, that his sister was also a target, and that it did not matter that he was a prosecutor were also included in the indictment. It is stated that Mustafa Kemal Zengin waved his index finger at the victimized Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, told him to "close the case," made threatening remarks about his family, and said, "get the person inside out as soon as you can, let them go." The indictment also notes that Zengin stated, "They want to cause pain to the prosecutor's daughter, wife, mother, father, and sister, and they want to cause pain in a vicious way," indicating their intent to harm the victimized Public Prosecutor's family and his 2-year-old daughter.

PRISON SENTENCES RANGING FROM 48 YEARS TO 100 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS REQUESTED

In the prepared indictment, it was requested that Mustafa Kemal Zengin, Aylin Arslantatar, and Gökhan Güler be sentenced to between 48 years and 100 years and 6 months in prison for the crimes of 'attempted premeditated murder due to a public duty performed by the person,' 'establishing an armed organization for the purpose of committing crimes,' 'attempting to influence a judicial officer,' 'threatening multiple people using the names of existing or assumed criminal organizations,' 'violation of the State Intelligence Services and National Intelligence Organization Law,' 'carrying or possessing unlicensed weapons,' 'violation of privacy,' and 'unlawfully obtaining or disseminating personal data.' Prison sentences of varying lengths were requested for the other 10 defendants.

News Source: İHA