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Tatvan – The first hearing in the trial of Bitlis Journalists Association President Sinan Aygül, accused of "threatening" two bodyguards, including a police officer, of former AKP Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani, took place at the Tatvan Courthouse 1st Criminal Court of First Instance.
The hearing, which began after a nearly five-hour delay, was attended by Aygül, his brother Ahmet Aygül, their lawyer Berrin Eker, and complainant Yücel Baysali. Engin Kaplan, the police officer involved in the case, participated via video link from Ankara. Numerous journalists observed the proceedings.
After identity verifications, Ahmet Aygül was the first to speak, denying any involvement in threats and stating that he had no personal conflict with the complainants. He also denied ownership of the social media account alleged to have made the threats.
Sinan Aygül: I pursued the case as a journalist
Following his brother, journalist Sinan Aygül reiterated the statement he gave to law enforcement and explained that months before the incident, he had been attacked by these individuals, and he believed that Mayor Geylani was the instigator. He stated that after the suspects were released, they were seen with the mayor, which prompted him to visit the mayor's office to request security footage from a guard, believing it would support his claim. "There is no crime in this case, nor did I have any intent to threaten anyone. This case has been pushed forward unnecessarily, and the indictment was poorly prepared without considering evidence in my favor," he said.
When the judge asked if his only purpose in visiting the municipality was to obtain security footage, Aygül responded, "Yes, I went solely to get the footage. I also contacted the deputy mayor and the planning director to request it. I ask that they be heard as witnesses."
Defense attorney: No threat occurred
Lawyer Berrin Eker argued that there was no threat involved, stating that her clients were simply seeking evidence to support their case and asked for their acquittal based on the lack of elements constituting a crime.
Complainants claim organized threat
Yücel Baysali, a relative and bodyguard of the former mayor, claimed that the Aygül brothers had threatened them via social media and phone, even stating that his family was targeted by groups such as the PKK. Similarly, Engin Kaplan, the police bodyguard, alleged that the Aygüls came to the municipality to attack them and that a municipal guard had alerted the police and his superiors, prompting his complaint.
After hearing the statements, the court rejected Aygül's request to call witnesses, deeming them irrelevant to the case, and postponed the trial to December 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. to address remaining issues in the file.
