Elif Akgül
7 June - In the trial of journalist Pınar Gayip, charged with "membership in a terrorist organization," two witnesses, including one confidential witness, testified. The only detained defendant in the case, Hüseyin İldan, was released.
The 15th hearing of Pınar Gayip, editor at Etkin News Agency (ETHA), was held yesterday at the Istanbul 26th High Criminal Court. Gayip faces charges related to her reporting and communications with sources. Lawyers Sezin Uçar, Batuhan Bozlak, and Şükrü Alpsoy attended the hearing.
First, the court heard from Hüseyin İldan, who is 61, married, has children, and is a retired worker living at the same address for many years. He has been involved in various unions, leading to numerous funeral and hospital visits. He denied the allegation of attending a funeral as evidence of membership in a terrorist organization and requested his release.
Ildan’s lawyer, Uçar, emphasized the principle that investigations should be based on suspicion of a crime, stating, “There is no act that would justify suspicion against my client,” and called for acquittal and release.
Alpsoy, another lawyer for Ildan, noted that other defendants facing similar charges had been released, arguing that the inconsistency warranted Ildan’s release.
The confidential witness testified that he knew defendants Pınar Gayip, Hüseyin İldan, and Şahin Tümüklü. His testimony was difficult to understand, but he mentioned knowing Gayip through her work at ETHA and had no knowledge of her alleged activities on behalf of the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP).
After the testimonies, the prosecutor requested that Ildan remain in detention. However, after a recess, the court decided to release Ildan under judicial control, including a travel ban, while maintaining all other judicial controls.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
