HRANT DINK CASE
Ersin Yolcu Sent to Prison
Ersin Yolcu, one of Agos newspaper editor-in-chief Hrant Dink murder convicts who was sentenced to 12.5 years of prison, has been captured in Trabzon and sent to prison.
Following a verdict by Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court on Ersin Yolcu and its approval by Supreme Court of Appeals, officials from Bureau of Execution Administration under the umbrella of Trabzon Security Unit launched a search on Ersin Yolcu.
Yolcu has been detained following raid in Söğütlü district. He was sent to Bahçecik Prison after the completion of legal procedures.
Supreme Court of Appeals: “Crime organization”
On May 15 Supreme Appeals Court 9th Penal Chamber announced its verdict on assassinated journalist Hrant Dink's case after completing its investigation upon the request of Ersin Yolcu - who requested his acquittal.
The verdict defined the acts of all suspects in the case under "an organization formed to commit crime" according to Turkish Penal Code Article 220. Previously, a high criminal court dismissed charges related to "armed terrorist organization".
Previously, Supreme Court of Appeals overthrew a court’s acquittal decision on “organized crime” charges.
What decision did the appeals court overthrow?
Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court reached a verdict on Hrant Dink murder case on its 25 hearing on 17 January 2012 - 5 years after the incident. All suspects were found not guilty for "being a terrorist organization member".
Some of the decisions of the court included:
* Yasin Hayal to receive life sentence for ordering murder, 3 years of prison for threatening Orhan Pamuk and 1 year of prison for having an unlicensed gun.
* Osman Hayal to get acquitted for the same charges as Hayal.
* Erhan Tuncel to get acquitted for being an armed terrorist organization member and ordering murder.
* Salih Hacisalihoğlu to serve 2 months and 15 days of prison for having unlicensed ammunition.
* Erhan Tuncel to serve 10 years and 6 months of prison for Mc Donald's bombing.
* Ersin Yolcu and Ahmet İskender to serve 12 years and 6 months of prison for aiding murder.
* Ahmet İskender to serve 1 year of prison for having an unlicensed gun.
* Erhan Tuncel has been released pending a trial. (AS/BM)
