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Murat Şahin who had assaulted Cumhuriyet daily’s then editor-in-chief Can Dündar with a gun, has been released after six months of trial under arrest.
On May 6, Friday an armed attack had been carried out against Can Dündar whilst verdict in hearing over his and the daily’s Ankara Representative Erdem Gül’s MİT Truck report had been awaited.
Dündar was not hurt in the attack which took place in front of İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. NTV reporter Yağız Şankal was wounded in his leg.
Following the attack, assaulter Murat Şahin was caught, brought to trial and was arrested on charge of “opposing the Law on Armed Weapons and Knives and armed threat”.
Can Dündar did not attend the hearing of the arrested suspect Murat Şahin before İstanbul 28th Criminal Court of Justice.
In the hearing, Şahin’s attorney had argued that the continuing arrest of Şahin would victimize him when the new law on execution of sentences was taken into consideration.
Receiving the statements, the court has announced its interim decision, that given the quality of the crime Şahin was being charged of, the time he has already served in prison and the fact that most of the evidence were acquired, Şahin should be released.
Providing additional time for defence attorneys, the hearing was adjourned
Reaction from Can Dündar
Following the court decision, Can Dündar as to the release of Murat Şahin shared a comment on Twitter and said described the decision as an "Approval by the judiciary for an attack on press".
(HK/DG)
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