The Friday hearing (21 October) of the Lighthouse trial brought two new developments. The temporary injunction on goods obtained before the founding of the Germany-based Lighthouse Association was lifted.
Moreover, six defendants who were detained since 11 July 2011 in the scope of the Lighthouse trial were released pending trial.
Zahid Akman, former President of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), and Zekeriya Karaman, Chair of the Kanal 7 Steering Board, were among the released defendants as well as Mustafa Çelik, Kanal 7 General Publications Director; Steering Board Member İsmail Karahan, İzzet Kurum and Ali Solak.
A total of nine people had previously been arrested in the context of alleged embezzlement carried out via the Lighthouse Association with the involvement of Kanal 7 and a few other companies.
As reported in the press, the defence lawyers applied to the Ankara 11th Magistrate Criminal Court for the release of their clients. The court rejected the request based on the view of Public Prosecutors Veli Dalgalı and Hakan Pektaş who carried out the related investigation and plead against the release of the defendants.
Final decision for release pending trial
Thereupon, the defence lawyers filed an appeal with the Ankara 13th High Criminal Court.
The superior court decided to release the above mentioned six defendants pending trial.
This court decision is final. The released defendants are not allowed to leave the country.
On 1 June 2009, the Ankara 3rd Magistrate Criminal Court decided for an injunction on the assets of 18 suspects. The decision was based on the demand of Prosecutor Nadi Türkaslan, one of the prosecutors who carried out the investigation into the Lighthouse case.
The investigation was continued by the Supreme Court of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK). On 26 August 2011, the Ankara Chief Prosecution dismissed prosecutors Türkaslan, Tamöz and Yaren. Prosecutors Dalgalı and Taktaş who now requested to lift the injunction were appointed in their places. (IC/VK)
