Orhan Kemal Cengiz Speaks of Detention Process

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Legist and journalist Orhan Kemal Cengiz, who was detained at Atatürk Airport on July 21 in wake of July 15 coup attempt, has been released by being imposed ban on leaving the country following the prosecution testimony yesterday (July 24).

Cengiz explained to bianet what has happened during this process.

Cengiz kept in Anti-Terror Bureau (TEM) on Vatan Street for four days, said that he didn’t face any ill-treatment except for being handcuffed from behind, yet saw people whose eyes were totally shut of swelling and crying in the custodial prison which was full.

Cengiz being detained with the scope of Zaman daily and Gülen Movement case, noted that he was only asked of two tweets from one year and a half ago.

Cengiz explained the process as follows:

Airport

“We’d founded Tahir Elçi Foundation in England. He had a meeting in Brighton on Sunday. I was headin to England to meet with attorney Tony Fitcher and Türkan Elçi on Thursday.

“At that moment, they stopped me in the airport and said they needed to check some things. I waited in the airport for around 2-3 hours.

“I guess the custody order was issued at that moment. Then I was brought to Anti-Terror Bureau at Security Directorate located on Vatan Street [in İstanbul’s Fatih district]”.

Custodial prison

“They didn’t make any explanation. There was a very tense atmosphere there. They put me directly into the custodial prison.

“They didn’t ill-treat me in anyway. They just handcuffed me from behind as they took me to prosecution on the last day. I told police that I was a lawyer, journalist. They said the instruction came to us from higher authorities.

“However, I saw someone whose eyes were shut of swelling one or two wards next to mine. I heard him crying while being brought back from questioning. There was already a very tense situation. The custodial prison was entirely full. I think I was the only civilian there”.

Prosecutor didn’t take testimony on the first day

“The prosecutor summoned me on the first day. I was taken to the prosecution office with my attorneys but sent back to custodial prison without my testimony being taken.

“I was very surprised at that moment. The prosecutor sent me back saying ‘I will not take his testimony’ though I was by his door”.

Couple of tweets

“I was taken to the prosecutor again four days later. I learned that I was being charged within the scope of FETÖ (Fethullahist Terror Organization) case but what is interesting is that they just asked of a couple of tweets.

“I realized then that there is no indictment or anything prepared against me”.

Prosecution testimony

Cengiz mentioning that his testimony was taken by the prosecutor who ordered trustee appointment to Zaman daily. Cengiz conveyed what he lived in the prosecution office as follows:

“I am writing in the newspapers known as media organ of the community but this is entirely a professional relation. I have always written of my mind. Besides, I professional started to advocate Zaman daily after the trustee appointment process.

“I am a human rights defender; my career is known. I also advocated non-Muslims and the villagers for years whose villages were evacuated. Recently, I made advocacy contract with Zaman daily in a professional way. I don’t accept any charges. I having any connection with the Gülen Community is out of question.

“I find the investigation you have launched very dangerous. Turkey has eluded a very serious coup attempt. While there was not a single piece written as to detention of soldiers who were related to the coup, my detention has drawn huge criticism from abroad.

“I am of the opinion that punishing the innocent people along with the guilty ones will devalue this investigation as in Ergenekon trials”. (EKN/TK)