4 defendants released in Adnan Oktar criminal organization's 'current structure' trial

Adnan Oktar, the leader of an armed criminal organization, had 4 of the 20 defendants in a trial concerning the "current structure" of his group—formed through lawyers and social media groups to keep members active and recruit new ones to replace those who have been exposed—released from custody.

Some of the detained defendants connected to the hearing at the Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). Defense attorneys for the defendants were also present at the hearing.

The lawyers for the detained defendants argued that their clients were innocent and requested their release.

Announcing its interim decision, the court panel ordered the release of Berat Kartal, Yusuf Erkan Özoğuz, Pınar Demir, and Dilşad Kurt, taking into account the time they have already spent in custody.

The panel ruled that the detention of 6 other defendants, including Adnan Oktar, shall continue. The hearing was adjourned to July 10-11-12.

The indictment, prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, lists 20 individuals as suspects.

The indictment notes that Adnan Oktar, who has been recognized as the leader of an armed criminal organization by court rulings, continues his organizational activities while in prison. It states that Oktar attempts to keep the organization active, particularly through his lawyers and other organization leaders Meltem Arıkan Daban and Ferhunde Eda Babuna, and ensures his instructions are disseminated outside the prison.

The indictment emphasizes that while doing so, Oktar has engaged in activities to create public opinion that the trial is a "setup" and to gain political lobbying support, particularly through other organization leaders. It also provides information that Oktar, who communicates with organization members convicted in the main case and currently in prison via letters and lawyers, has attempted to prevent members from benefiting from effective remorse laws.

The indictment further states that Adnan Oktar has attempted to maintain his influence over organization members both inside and outside prison, highlighting that during his time in prison, he held meetings under the guise of "legal assistance" with approximately 200 lawyers in a short period of 15 days, which is not consistent with the ordinary flow of events.

"In these meetings, he aimed to recruit members to the organization and attempted to direct organizational attitudes and behaviors outside the prison by taking advantage of the legal profession, where entry and exit to prisons are free within legal limits. As a result of the determination of this issue, restrictions were placed on the suspect's lawyer visits," the indictment stated, adding that Oktar aimed not only to keep the organization alive but also to recruit new members to replace those who were being tried and exposed, and that he attempted to convey his instructions through lawyers, which is the easiest method.

The indictment requests that defendants Adnan Oktar, Meltem Arıkan Daban, and Ferhunde Eda Babuna be sentenced to between 5 and 12 years in prison for "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes." It was also requested that these defendants be punished as perpetrators for all crimes committed by organization members within the framework of the organization's activities, in accordance with the relevant article of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK).

The indictment, which requests that Adnan Oktar, Meltem Arıkan Daban, and Ferhunde Eda Babuna be sentenced to between 10.5 and 31.5 years in prison for "making propaganda for the organization or its objectives," also includes requests for various prison sentences for the other 17 defendants for crimes such as "being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes," "aiding the organization," and "making propaganda for the organization or its objectives."

News Source: AA