Prosecutor requests up to 4.5 years in prison for the attack on journalist Levent Gültekin

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The prosecutor's office has pronounced its final opinion as to the accusations in trial over the physical attack against journalist Levent Gültekin on his way to his live program on Halk TV in İstanbul's Bakırköy.

While the defendants, who had been released on probation, and Levent Gültekin did not attend the hearing at the Bakırköy 47th Criminal Court of First Instance, their lawyers were present in the court hall.

The prosecutor of the hearing requested that the two defendants be sentenced to 1 year, 6 months to 4 years, 6 months in prison.

The prosecutor said that s/he did not find the defendants' statements of defense "sincere" and requested that defendants Muhammed Emin K. and Ömer D.' be penalized on charge of "aggravated insult".

The lawyers of the defendants requested time to prepare their statements of defense as to the accusations. The court board has accepted the lawyers' request and adjourned the trial until a later date.

What happened?

Journalist Levent Gültekin was attacked in front of the Halk TV in Bakırköy, İstanbul on March 8, 2021. Attending his TV program on the channel after the attack, Gültekin then went to the Bakırköy District Security Directorate and filed a criminal complaint against the assaulters.

While two of the three suspects were arrested for "injuring" Gültekin, they were released two months later. Released on probation as he was younger than 18, his investigation is still ongoing. (HA/SD)