Ahmet İlhan Güler, who was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate Intelligence Branch at the time of murder, presented his defence. He claimed that he didn't have the authority to order protection and accused the personnel of Trabzon Security Directorate. He said, “I am defending the state.”
As
part of Dink case, the trial of public officials, including
Ramazan Akyürek, Ali Fuat Yılmazer, Reşat Altay, Celalettin
Cerrah, Ahmet İlhan Güler and Engin Dinç, continues in Istanbul.
Suspects Ramazan Akyürek, Celalettin Cerrah, Reşat Altay, Ahmet İlhan Güler and Sabri Uzun attend the hearing.
The hitman Ogün Samast is also present.
Lawyers of Dink family Hakan Bakırcıoğlu, Sebu Aslangil, Emel Ataktürk Sevimli and Hülya Deveci and defense lawyers are also present.
The protection should have been ordered from Trabzon
Ahmet İlhan Güler, who was the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate Intelligence Branch at the time of murder, presented his defence.
Here are the highlights of his defence:
“Intelligence branches don't deal with protection measures. The regulations are obvious.”
“The report coming from Trabzon to us was about Yasin Hayal. 'An impactful event' doesn't necessarily mean murder.”
“Trabzon Intelligence Branch should have contacted to the Directorate of Intelligence and started the protection process. According to the regulations, this is the responsibility of Trabzon branch.”
“Threats were overt”
“Given my position, it was impossible for me to prevent the protection process.”
“Intelligence branches don't deal with the issues that are submitted to the judicial authorities. The meeting in the governor's office, the threat from Bursa and the threat against Agos were overt. There are other authorities for ordering protection. It is impossible for me to prevent them.”
“We did what was necessary after we received the report from Trabzon. The inspectors who accused us of doing nothing are arrested now. There are judicial decisions stating that I haven't omitted my duty.”
“They try to declare me guilty without any reason. It is revealed that some suspects have relation to some organizations. In the report from Trabzon, the information concerning the murder was concealed. They try to convict the state by using me. I am defending myself and the state.”
“I am the wronged one in this case. I am a part of this case as a wronged person.”
Özkan Mumcu is arrested
Suspect Özkan Mumcu attended the hearing via video call. He said that he has been arrested in Muş and tried on charge of being a member of an armed terrorist organization.
