‘Secret witness’ crisis in Polat trial: Leaked from UYAP

The third hearing of the money laundering case, which has been closely followed by the public and involves 28 defendants including Dilan and Engin Polat, was held today at the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse. Dilan Polat and her sister Sıla Doğu did not attend the hearing held at the Anatolian 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance. Among the defendants, Engin Polat, accountant Ahmet Gün, father Sezgin Polat, and company employee Mustafa Özalp, known as the “black box,” were present in the courtroom.

SECRET WITNESS TESTIMONY APPEARED IN UYAP SYSTEM 

The hearing was marked by the issue regarding the testimony of the secret witness. According to journalist Emrullah Erdinç, information that the secret witness would be heard at the Bakırköy Courthouse was uploaded to the UYAP system and was visible to lawyers. This development raised concerns that the secret witness's identity could be revealed. For this reason, the court decided not to hear the secret witness at today's hearing.

WITNESS HEARD AGAIN 

During the hearing, Aygün Yıldırım, one of the witnesses previously heard, was also brought back to the courtroom. Yıldırım was brought via the prison transport vehicle as she is currently detained in connection with another case. Her testimony was retaken due to technical glitches during the previous hearing.

ENGIN POLAT'S REQUEST: 'GIVE US BACK OUR COMPANIES' 

Taking the stand, Engin Polat addressed the court panel to express his demands. Stating, “Dozens of our branches have closed, people are going bankrupt. This burden is very heavy,” Polat requested the removal of the trustee management over the companies. “Let the trusteeship remain, but we want to get our companies back,” said Engin Polat, arguing that the cessation of their commercial activities was harming both them and their employees.

Dilan and Engin Polat, along with the other defendants, face charges of “establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime,” “laundering assets derived from crime,” and “violating the law on the regulation of betting and games of chance.” Various prison sentences are being sought for a total of 28 defendants.

WHAT HAPPENED? 

In operations conducted in Istanbul and 5 other provinces starting on November 1, 2023, 24 suspects, including Dilan Polat and her husband Engin Polat, were detained.

Within the scope of the investigation, 16 of the suspects, including Dilan Polat, Engin Polat, and Sinem Sıla Doğu, were arrested, and the court ordered the appointment of trustees to 27 companies.

In the monthly detention review on June 14, the Criminal Court of Peace ordered the release of Dilan Polat's siblings Can and Sinem Sıla Doğu, as well as Can Polat, Gökay Bekar, Halit Polat, Harun Abak, Metin Yılmaz, Mustafa Özalp, Nilgün Yılmaz, Uğurcan Ayyıldız, and Zekai Tepe, under judicial control measures.

Dilan Polat's lawyer, Sevinç Horoz, submitted a petition to the Anatolian 8th High Criminal Court on August 19 to appeal the detention. In this context, Dilan Polat's release was ordered. At the hearing on September 6, Engin Polat and 3 other detained defendants were also released.

News Source: 12punto