Recusation Demand in Lice Trial

In the trial heard by İzmir 1st Heavy Penal Court as to the massacre that took place in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakır province's district of Lice 22 years ago claiming 16 lives, defendant retired Colonel Eşref Hatipoğlu didn't attend again despite court's ruling against it. Attorneys of the victim reacting against it have claimed for recusation.

In the statement by Diyabarkır Bar President Tahir Elçi said the court ruled that the defendant must be present with them for the cross-examining yet he was absent in the trial.

"The court has violated its own ruling"

"The court has violated its own procedure and ruling," said Elçin.

"We had already realized the court's position as it in a way protected the defendant by not arresting him and an effective legal process will not be possible, we hadn't given up hope. We had hoped that there will be an opportunity to interrogate the defendant in a trial in which we will be present as well and what actually happened in Lice would be revealed."

Aydın's attorney: We are now out of expectations

Attorney Elçi said that murdered Bahtiyar Aydın's family's lawyer Necdet Solmazgül took the floor and stated that the family is in tremendous pain.

Elçi expressed that considering its extending period, it seems as there is a latent agreement between legal and administrative authorities to not have him on bar.

Elçi added that they want an investigation to be undertaken to uncover whether there are other figures behind these incidents.

Other defendant died without even testifying

Recusation demand will be tried by İzmir 2nd Heavy Penal Court. Chief Judge Nurettin Küdür announced that the next trial will be held on December 24.

The court stated that the other defendant Tünay Yanardağ died in Singapore in August. Victim attorneys reacting against the defendant went abroad has requested a DNA test to confirm the death. (AS/TK)

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