Verdict reached for individual who raided factory and held 9 workers hostage in Gebze

On February 1, 2024, a hostage crisis occurred at the US-based Procter & Gamble (P&G) factory, which produces cleaning and personal care products, located on İhsan Dede Street in the Gebze Organized Industrial Zone (GOSB).

İbrahim Y., who raided the factory to protest Israel's attacks on Gaza, held 9 workers hostage for 9 hours using two weapons and a device he carried that was made to look like a bomb.

The suspect was apprehended during an operation while he had stepped away from the hostages to use the restroom.

RELEASED AFTER 8 MONTHS AND 15 DAYS IN DETENTION

The suspect, whose statement was taken regarding the incident, was arrested and sent to prison, and was released after being detained for 8 months and 15 days. The defendant, İbrahim Y., had stated that he carried out the incident to make his voice heard in order to stop the massacres Israel was committing in Gaza and to have the border gate to Egypt opened.

REQUESTED ACQUITTAL

A lawsuit was filed against İbrahim Y. for the crimes of "purchasing, carrying, or possessing firearms and ammunition" and "depriving a person of their liberty through force, threat, or deception in a chain of events." The trial of Yeşil, for whom no terror connection was detected, continued at the Gebze 16th Criminal Court of First Instance.

The non-detained defendant İbrahim Y. and the factory's lawyer attended the 4th hearing of the case. The defendant stated that he was remorseful and requested his acquittal.

COURT REJECTED LAWYER'S REQUEST

The factory's lawyer requested the defendant's arrest due to his previous crimes and the possibility of tampering with evidence related to the incident.

The court panel rejected the lawyer's request for arrest and decided to continue the defendant's judicial control conditions and to adjourn the hearing.

News Source: İHA