Killing of Prosecutor Kiraz: Two Given Aggravated Life Sentence

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Fourteen people, four of them under arrest and nine of them were fugitives, have been on trial in the case of the killing.

The final hearing of the case was held yesterday (July 11) at the İstanbul 27th Heavy Penal Court. Arrested defendants Mithat Öztürk, Murat Canım, Cengiz Özel and Mustafa Koçak and their attorneys were present at the hearing.

Murat Canım and Mustafa Koçak were separately given aggravated life sentences for "attempting to change the order that the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey projects by using force and violence" upon Article 309/1 of the Turkish Criminal Code. They were also given a total of 42 years of prison term for various offenses. Their sentences were not reduced as their behavior and stance during the trial showed that they are not resentful.

Other three defendants were given prison terms between 6 years and 11 years 3 months. Cengiz Özel was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in prison for "knowingly and willingly aiding an armed terrorist organization". Mithat Öztürk was sentenced to 10 years, Deniz Özel was sentenced to six years in prison for the same offense.

The files of the defendants who had an arrest warrant, Faruk Ereren, Hüseyin Fevzi Tekin, Mesut Demirel, Musa Aşoğlu, Nuri Eryüksel, Seher Demir, Şadi Naci Özpolat, Şerefettin Gül and Zerrin Sarı were separated.

After the verdict was announced, the defendants chanted slogans, saying, "You don't have justice", "Pressure can't discourage us." (HA/VK)