Verdict in Kobani Case Postponed to May – Latest News from Turkey
The Kobani case, related to the street events that occurred on 6-8 October 2014, has been postponed. The hearing, held by the 22nd High Criminal Court at the Sincan Penitentiary Institutions Campus, saw some of the detained defendants present in person, while others attended via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS) from their respective prisons.
Among those present at the hearing were DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, along with DEM Party MPs, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başkar, CHP Deputy Chairman Gül Çiftçi, CHP MPs Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Aliye Timisi Ersever, as well as TİP Deputy Ahmet Şık.
The court president explained that more time was needed to review all the defense motions, witness statements, and evidence presented in the case before reaching a decision. The date for the sentencing hearing was postponed to allow for a thorough examination of the case.
The public prosecutor reiterated his opinion from a previous hearing, stating that there was concrete evidence indicating a strong suspicion of crime and the possibility of defendants fleeing. He requested the continuation of the current situation of the detained defendants.
Selahattin Demirtaş, connected to the hearing via SEGBİS from prison, spoke out against the continued detention of his friends, demanding their release. Other detained defendants also requested their release, citing long periods of detention and health issues.
During the hearing, CHP Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu requested a meeting between the court president and detained defendant Selahattin Demirtaş via the SEGBİS system, which was ultimately denied.
The decision on the case has been delayed until May, with the court deciding to continue the detention of the defendants until Thursday, May 16, 2024, when their final statements will be heard and the verdict announced.
