Old Statement to Bring New Light into Susurluk Conspiracy

The trial against former Chief of Police Mehmet Ağar was continued on Thursday (26 May) before the Ankara 11^th High Criminal Court. Ağar is prosecuted over charges of "forming an armed group for committing criminal offences".

Ağar allegedly aided Yaşar Öz who was convicted in the so-called Susurluk trial and Abdullah Çatlı who was killed in the accident that happened in Susurluk in western Turkey. Several occupants died in the accident that caused a major scandal in the country because it revealed connections between the Istanbul police, the neo-fascist Grey Wolves organisation and politicians.

Defendant Ağar did not attend the Thursday hearing. The court decided to acquire a copy of the statement made to the Istanbul Public Chief Prosecution by Ayhan Çarkın, a former member of the special operations staff and convict of the Susurluk trial. The case was postponed to 15 September 2011.

"Our application for co-plaintiff status was rejected"

Trial observer Selçuk Kozağaçlı, President of the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), told bianet that he applied for co-plaintiff status on behalf of Reşat Karataş, Hanım Şakar, İsmail Hakkı İlçi and Hüseyin Şimşek.

He said that his clients pursued co-plaintiff status because their relatives had been killed in places that were mentioned by Çarkın. Yet, the court dismissed the request.

"A copy of Çarkın's statement will be send to court"

Lawyer Kozağaçlı reminded the fact that the Public Prosecutor demanded Ağar's punishment for "aiding and abetting an organization established for the aim of committing crimes".

"Just as Ayhan Çarkın said, we also think that Mehmet Ağar was the leader of the organization. If Ayhan Çarkın testifies at court, it will become clear whether Mehmet Ağar only aided and abetted the organization or if he was a member of the leader of the organization", Kozağaçlı said.

"Therefore, we requested the court summon Ahyhan Çarkın to give his statement or acquire the record of his statement".

The request was supported by the prosecutor and the court decided to obtain a copy of Çarkın's statement made to the Istanbul Public Chief Prosecution.

The Public Prosecutor said that he considered to review his final plea and to re-submit it to court. The trial was postponed to 15 September 2010. (EKN/VK)