Lawyer Can Tombul Not Released in Second Hearing

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The second hearing of the case, where lawyer Can Tombul from the Law Bureau of the Oppressed (EHB) has been arrested pending trial, was held at the İstanbul 35th Heavy Penal Court yesterday (January 5).

Abiding by the opinion as to the accusations presented by the Prosecutor's Office, the court board ruled that the arrest of the lawyer shall continue.

His next hearing will be held on April 18, 2019.

Tombul, who was arrested on charge of "being a member of a terrorist organization" on August 3, 2018, has been held in Silivri Prison since then.

"Maybe I am arrested because of this"

At his second hearing that was held yesterday, Can Tombul mentioned that he was a lawyer at the case of Suruç massacre, which claimed the lives of 33 people in Suruç, Urfa in 2015:

"I was injured in Suruç and October 10 Ankara massacres. I became a witness there and I have been following their court cases as a lawyer.

"If I was not arrested today, I would be at the hearing where police officers are tried for Suruç massacre. Maybe, that is why, I am arrested.

"It is an injustice that I have been behind bars while the Security Director of Suruç was given a funny penalty of 7 thousand 500 Turkish Lira and two police officers are tried without being arrested.

"I did not escape after being released"

"A verdict of detention was issued for me as part of the investigation conducted against me in Ankara. After I was released, I continued my occupational activities, I did not escape. The demand for the continuation of my arrest does not have any foundation."

Presenting its opinion as to the accusations, the Prosecutor's Office demanded that the arrest of the lawyer continue. Announcing its verdict after the statements of the defendant, his attorneys and the prosecutor of the case, the court board ruled for the continuation of Tombul's arrest.

What happened?

Can Tombul was taken into custody in Kadıköy in İstanbul on July 31, 2018. After being held in custody for four days, he was referred to the Penal Judgeship of Peace at the İstanbul Courthouse. The judgeship ruled that Tombul shall be arrested on the ground that "there was suspicion of escape."

Tombul was also detained in January 2018 as part of an investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Deposing to the Prosecutor's Office, he was released on probation.

In the 16-page indictment issued for lawyer Can Tombul, two funerals that he attended in 2013 and 2015, one statement for the press and a statement of a witness have been cited as the reasons for the charges against him. (AS/SD)