Objection of Metin Akpınar, Müjdat Gezen to Judicial Control Measures Rejected

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An objection was raised against the judicial control measures and international travel ban which have been imposed on theater and movie actors Müjdat Gezen and Metin Akpınar by the İstanbul Anatolian 3rd Penal Court of Peace due to their statements on Halk TV.

The objection has been rejected by the upper court, the Anatolian 4th Penal Court of Peace. In the justification of the objection, it has been stated:

"On the ground that there are no changes in the available evidence in favor of the defendants; there is concrete evidence pointing to strong criminal suspicion relating to the offence charged; and with the aim of reaching the suspects if required..."

What happened?

After President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan targeted Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen on December 23, 2018 on Sunday, an investigation was launched against the actors on the same day. Gezen and Akpınar were taken to the Prosecutor's Office in company with police officers to depose next day.

After their depositions at the Prosecutor's Office, they were released on probation by the court on duty, to which they were referred. The court ruled that an international travel ban shall be imposed on the actors and they shall go to the police department once a week to give signatures.

Gezen's daughter receives cancer treatment abroad

Regarding the international travel ban imposed on his client Müjdat Gezen, attorney Celal Ülgen previously stated,

"The daughter of our client lives in the Netherlands. Our client regularly goes to the Netherlands for her daughter Elif Gözen Öğretir, who has been receiving cancer treatment in the country.

"Since the international travel ban will cut the communication of our client with his daughter, it is an unnecessary and excessive method inflicting mental cruelty on our client." (EKN/SD)