‘Digital Reports’ to Be Examined in Özgür Gündem Main Trial

In the main trial of the closed Özgür Gündem newspaper, where nine people have been tried, the court board has ruled that the arrest of newspaper’s grant holder Kemal Sancılı shall continue. The next hearing of the case will be held on April 10, 2019.

Tansu Pişkin

‘Digital Reports’ to Be Examined in Özgür Gündem Main Trial

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The tenth hearing of the main trial of Özgür Gündem newspaper, which was closed by a Statutıry Decree, was held at the İstanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court in İstanbul Çağlayan Courthouse today (January 17).

Announcing its interlocutory judgement in the lawsuit filed against nine people, the court board ruled that the arrest of newspaper's grant holder Kemal Sancılı shall continue on the ground that "there is strong criminal evidence pointing to the charged offence" and "the defendant was caught while he was preparing to escape."

The attorneys' requests to examine the digital reports were approved by the court board. The next hearing will be held on April 10, 2019.

The court board consisted of Presiding Judge Ahmet Uğuz; Members Abdullah Ok, Emine Çakır; Prosecutor Aydın Boztaş.

Sancılı requested his release

The tenth hearing of the case held today was attended by İnan Kızılkaya, who has been tried without being arrested, and the attorneys of the defendants. Arrested defendant Kemal Sancılı attended the hearing via Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

In response to the question of Presiding Judge Uğuz regarding their statements as to the digital examination reports, arrested defendant Sancılı stated that he could not present his statement of defense since the reports have not yet been delivered to him. Emphasizing that he has been behind bars for almost a year, Sancılı requested his release.

Underlining that the arrest of his client has turned into execution, attorney Özcan Kılıç also requested that Kemal Sancılı be released.

Attorney Doğan: It causes further unjust treatment

Erdal Doğan, attorney of Aslı Erdoğan, who has been tried without being arrested, also stated, "The case has been continuing for a long time. The inclusion of my client in the case file as a defendant causes further unjust treatment. We request acquittal for that reason."

All attorneys of the defendants requested additional time from the court board in order to examine the digital examination reports.

Prosecutor's Office demanded continuation of arrest

Prosecutor Boztaş demanded that the arrest of Sancılı continue as "there is strong criminal evidence pointing to the charged offence" and "the defendant was caught while he was preparing to escape." The court abided by this statement and ruled for the continuation of his arrest.

Indictment and defendants

As part of the main trial of Özgür Gündem newspaper, which was closed as per a Statutory Decree during the State of Emergency, the following people have been put on trial: Filiz Koçali, Aslı Erdoğan, Necmiye Alpay, Ragıp Zarakolu, Editor-in-Chief Zana (Bilir) Kaya and Managing Editor İnan Kızılkaya, columnist Eren Keskin, Grant Holder Kemal Sancılı and editorial advisory board member Bilge Aykut.

In the indictment, the defendants have been facing charges of "damaging the unity of the state and the integrity of the country", "establishing an organization with the aim of committing crimes" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization."

(TP/SD)

Tansu Pişkin

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bianet muhabiri. İstanbul Üniversitesi Siyaset Bilimi ve Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü mezunu. Şubat-Mart 2017 dönemi bianet stajyeriydi. Mayıs 2017'den beri bianet'te.