The trial of 19 defendants, 8 of whom are detained, has begun within the scope of the accusation of a criminal organization allegedly led by Selahattin Yılmaz, regarding the allegation that an armed attack was being prepared against Aziz İhsan Aktaş.
Aktaş came to the first hearing of the case in Silivri, of which he gave his name and of which he was an active repentant, with a large number of bodyguards, and this drew a reaction. His lawyer Incegül said about the guards, "They are the official protection given by the state against assassination threats."
The first hearing of the case regarding "assassination threats", which was cited as a reason for providing protection to Aktaş, was held today at Çağlayan Courthouse.
In addition to the detained and undetained defendants, the "complainant" Aziz İhsan Aktaş and his lawyer Özer İncegül also attended the hearing, which was held by the Istanbul 3rd High Criminal Court in the 14th High Criminal Court hearing room.
DEFENDANTS: "WE HAVE NEVER SEEN AKTAŞ IN OUR LIVES"
Arrested retired police officer Adem Kuru said that he was a distant relative of Selahattin Yılmaz and that he worked as a consultant for him. Rejecting the accusations, Kuru said, "I have never seen Aziz İhsan Aktaş in my life, I don't know. I am not even remotely related to him."
Detainee Cem Çebi, who said that he was Yılmaz's relative and driver, said, "I did not receive any orders or instructions regarding this incident. I have never seen Aziz İhsan Aktaş in my life. I heard his name at the police station."
AKTAŞ: “I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS ON A DEATH LIST”
Then Aktaş took the floor to testify as the "complainant" and said, "I want to tell your esteemed delegation what I know," and started reading from the paper in his hand.
Aktaş claimed that he told the judicial authorities what he knew within the scope of effective repentance, and that he received information from his close circle that he was threatened after his release.
Aktaş said, "I was told that I was made a target because of the statements I made within the scope of effective remorse, that I was on a hit list, and that there would be an armed attack on me and my family. As you know, I am under protection due to this assassination attempt."
Stating that he did not want to disclose the names of those who gave the information due to "life safety" reasons, Aktaş said, "Why is the name 'Aziz İhsan Aktaş' mentioned when I have no personal acquaintance or hostility with these people? Why is it mentioned together with the expression 'OPET'?" he asked.
Aktaş argued that the attack could not be completed with the intervention of the investigation authorities and said that he filed a complaint against all the defendants and demanded that they be punished.
YILMAZ: “HOW SHOULD I KNOW HE WILL CONFESSION?”
Following Aktaş's words, the detained defendant Selahattin Yılmaz took the floor. Stating that the message was sent about three months before Aktaş testified within the scope of active repentance, Yılmaz said, "You are not actively remorseful in February, so I can assassinate you. How do I know that you will be a confessor after three months?" he said.
Stating that he has been using the fuel station in question for about 25 years, Yılmaz stated that the station is close to his home and office and said, "When I left my house, I saw that it was closed. When I saw that it was closed, I said, 'I wonder what happened?', I asked my friend. If the simit shop next to your house was closed, you would ask about it too."
DIALOGUE BETWEEN AKTAŞ AND YILMAZ
Yılmaz then turned to Aktaş and said, "I swear, I have no problem with you. If you knew me outside, you would never leave me for the rest of my life. I am a good person," and said, "I wonder if someone who had a problem with you turned the incident onto me?" he asked.
Aktaş said, "Mr. Selahattin, I do not know you. I have no enmity with you. Why should I mention your name for no reason?" He responded.
Yilmaz said, "It is out of the question for me to harm you."
Announcing his interim opinion during the continuation of the hearing, the prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention of all detained defendants. Then the lawyers made a statement and the defendants were given the floor again.
RELEASE DECISION ON 6 NAMES
Istanbul 3rd High Criminal Court announced its interim decision.
President of the Court Panel; At the first hearing of the case of a criminal organization allegedly led by Selahattin Yılmaz, regarding the allegation that an armed attack was being prepared against Aziz İhsan Aktaş, it was decided to release Adem Kuru, Cem Çebi, İsa Aydın, Mehmet Tuğlu, Mustafa Serdar Yılmaz and Özgür Kılıç, among the 8 detained defendants.
It was decided that the detention of Selahattin Yılmaz and Cem Duman would continue.
The next hearing will be held on October 5.
