Breaking News: 7 released in Aziz İhsan Aktaş case

The first hearing has concluded in the case of businessman Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who is identified in the indictment as the "Leader of a Profit-Oriented Criminal Organization" and is being tried without arrest due to his status as a "confessor," despite facing up to 704 years in prison.

The hearing, which began at 11:30, was attended by the detained and non-detained defendants, as well as lawyers and observers.

PROSECUTION HAD REQUESTED CONTINUATION OF DETENTION

In the opinion submitted during the previous session, the public prosecutor had expressed the view that the 24 detained defendants should remain in prison.

INTERIM DECISION ANNOUNCED

The panel of the Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court announced its interim decision on the final day of the fifth week of the first session.

As reported by Cumhuriyet, the court ordered the release of the following individuals:

• Beltaş President Önder Gedik
• Esenyurt Municipality Support Services Manager Adnan Acar
• İSFALT Deputy General Manager Mehmet Karataş
• İSFALT Deputy General Manager Sencer Hacıoğlu
• Esenyurt Municipality Cleaning Affairs Manager Mehmet Şimşek
• Esenyurt Municipality Cleaning Affairs personnel Mustafa Yolcu
• İSFALT Procurement Manager Rana Uysal

In contrast, it was ruled that the detention of 4 mayors from the Republican People's Party (CHP) would continue.

FORCED ATTENDANCE ORDER FOR 4 INDIVIDUALS

The court also decided that the travel ban for defendants under judicial control would remain in effect. A forced attendance order was issued for 4 defendants whose defense statements could not be taken during the first session.

Additionally, it was decided that the necessary procedures would be carried out to ensure the presence of secret witnesses at the next hearing.

HEARING ADJOURNED

The second session of the case is expected to continue between April 20 and May 22 at the courtroom No. 2 in Silivri.

News Source: 12punto