The first hearing in a trial in which 21 defendants, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and social media influencers, are charged over alleged “boycott” calls and face up to seven years and six months in prison could not be held today. The judge said he was ill and that the courtroom was physically inadequate, adding that excuses had also been collected from lawyers, and stated that the hearing would be postponed.
In the investigation known publicly as the “boycott” calls probe, a case was filed against 21 defendants, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and social media influencers, seeking prison sentences of up to seven years and six months on charges of “preventing a person from engaging in an ordinary economic activity by discriminating among individuals” and “publicly inciting hatred and hostility among the public through the press and broadcast media.” The first hearing of the case had been scheduled for today.
Judge says “I am ill,” cites inadequacy of the courtroom and postpones the hearing
As lawyers said, “They are collecting excuses from us,” the judge responded, “Lawyers are submitting their excuses; if anyone comes, we will hear the case.” He then said, “I am already ill; the hearing will not be held today,” and stated that it would be postponed. The judge also cited the inadequacy of the courtroom as a reason for the postponement and, after saying the hearing would not go ahead, continued to hear other, separate cases with fewer defendants. It was stated that the new hearing date would be set by the end of the day.
