Postponement of Hrant Dink Case for Defendants’ Final Words
The trial regarding the assassination of Agos Gazetesi General Manager Hrant Dink by the hitman Ogün Samast in front of the newspaper building, where public officials are being tried, and which was overturned by the Court of Cassation for 15 defendants, was held today at the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court. Both imprisoned and released defendants attended the hearing via SEGBİS. The lawyers of the Dink family and the defendant lawyers were also present in court.
Defense Against the Prosecution’s Case
Defendants Muharrem Demirkale and Yavuz Karakaya made their defense against the prosecution’s case in the previous sessions. Imprisoned defendant Muharrem Demirkale, who was a Captain at the time of the incident, stated that he was innocent and wanted to make his defense in court for this reason. The court decided that the defendant could make his defense via SEGBİS. However, Demirkale insisted on making his defense in person and did not speak in court.
Imprisoned defendant Yavuz Karakaya, who was a Senior Sergeant Major at the time, requested his release, stating, “My name is not mentioned in the nearly 30 reports prepared regarding the murder. There is not a single piece of evidence in the file that I participated in the crime. I am complaining about my superiors. Fake evidence has been produced. This file is a set-up file.”
Final Words to be Asked
The lawyers of the two defendants also made their defense against the prosecution’s case. Thus, all defendants have now made their defense against the prosecution’s case. The court announced its interim decision, ruling that the defendants will be asked for their final words in the next session, and adjourned the hearing. The panel decided to continue the imprisonment of the defendants.
