Verdict in the Halil Falyalı murder trial

Detained defendants Mehmet Faysal Söylemez and Abdurrahim Çelik attended the hearing at the Istanbul 36th High Criminal Court. Other defendants Mustafa Söylemez, Ender Yıldız, and Cengiz Şener also connected to the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS) from the prisons where they are being held.

In his defense, Mehmet Faysal Söylemez claimed that he had not gone to Cyprus, did not use or sell drugs, and did not blackmail anyone.

Stating that he did not know the victim Halil Falyalı, the defendant also alleged that he did not know the other defendants, witnesses, or complainants.

HE ADDRESSED ERDOĞAN: A TRIAL WITHOUT JUDGMENT IS TAKING PLACE HERE

Arguing that there was no concrete evidence regarding his brother Mustafa Söylemez and that he himself was made a defendant based on fabricated evidence in the file, Mehmet Faysal Söylemez said, "I am addressing our Commander-in-Chief Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. A trial without judgment is taking place here. There are two people who have died, and their rights must be defended, but in the correct way."

LAWYER TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE: YOU ARE A HITMAN

Coşkun Atılgan, the lawyer for defendant Mehmet Faysal Söylemez, also stated that there was evidence in the file that the murder was not committed by the Söylemez brothers, saying:

"Are you not at all curious about who the real killer of Halil Falyalı is? Are you not at all curious about who Erhan Kinai is? Will you not say, 'I will carry the weight of this case throughout my conscience, let me read these messages'? Will you not watch the footage? The HSYK (Council of Judges and Prosecutors) will do what is necessary regarding you. I will do everything for you to be tried. You are a party to this case, you are the ones obscuring this evidence. You are a hitman."

Defendant Mustafa Söylemez, on the other hand, claimed that no evidence belonging to him was found at the scene, stating, "A glove was found inside the vehicle I rented and left at the airport when I arrived. I said in the hearing that the glove did not belong to me. The DNA did not match mine either. You are hiding the evidence that proves my innocence. You are not judges, you are biased. I have no defense to offer."

Mehmet Söylemez's lawyer Abdülhamit Saysal pointed out that the process of requesting the recusal of the judge was ongoing and claimed that the panel could not reach a verdict during this process.

The public prosecutor, whose opinion was asked during the hearing, noted that he reiterated the opinion he had presented in the previous session.

It was stated that a verdict would be reached, and the defendants were asked for their final statements.

"YOU ARE NOT JUDGES, I AM NOT SPITTING IN YOUR FACE, MY SPIT IS MORE VALUABLE"

Mehmet Faysal Söylemez said, "You are trying to pin the incident on us, you are not trying to clarify it. You are biased, withdraw from this case, I reject your not withdrawing." Mustafa Söylemez said, "You are not judges, I do not see you as judges. You are executioners. What can a person say to their executioner? I am not spitting in your face, my spit is more valuable."

The other defendants stated that they were innocent.

2 LIFE SENTENCES FOR MUSTAFA SÖYLEMEZ

The court panel, which reached a verdict in the case, sentenced defendant Mustafa Söylemez to 2 life sentences for the crime of "premeditated murder." The panel, which issued an acquittal for the crime of "establishing and managing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," also ruled for Söylemez's release regarding this charge.

The panel sentenced the other defendants Abdurrahim Çelik, Cengiz Şener, and Ender Yıldız to 12 years and 6 months each for the crime of "aiding in premeditated murder," totaling 25 years each, and decided on their acquittal for the crime of "membership in a criminal organization."

RELEASE FOR MEHMET FAYSAL SÖYLEMEZ

The panel ruled for the acquittal of detained defendants Mehmet Faysal Söylemez and Metin Süs from all charged crimes, and also decided on the release of Mehmet Faysal Söylemez.

The panel decided to separate the file of the fugitive defendant Cemil Önal and also ruled to file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor's office and the HSK regarding the lawyers of the Söylemez brothers, Coşkun Atılgan and Abdulhamit Saysal, due to their insults after the SEGBİS transcript was completed.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the victim Halil Falyalı, who surrendered to the police and was arrested on October 14, 2021, regarding accusations of "kidnapping, assault, and forcible confinement" in the TRNC, was released from prison on December 17, 2021, after the cases against him and his employees were withdrawn.

The indictment, which stated that Halil Falyalı and his driver Murat Demirtaş died in an armed attack in the TRNC on February 8, 2022, emphasized that the murder was committed in a "highly organized, planned, and professional manner."

The indictment explained that the suspects had decided to carry out this act long before the date the crime was committed, but the act was not carried out because Falyalı was in prison.

News Source: 12punto