Istanbul Bar head accused of influencing judicial process

ISTANBUL – Anatolia News Agency

Head of Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal. DHA photo

Head of the Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal, is among the 10 lawyers facing criminal charges for trying to influence the judicial process in the alleged coup case known as Balyoz (Sledgehammer).

The Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court, which is hearing the Balyoz case, filed a lawsuit to the Silivri Prosecutor’s office regarding the 10 lawyers, including Kocasakal, for making an unpermitted statement at the courthouse during the Balyoz trial on April 6, 2012, by taking the seats of the suspects’ lawyers. The prosecutor’s office completed the indictment against the 10 lawyers, who will be tried with prison terms of 2 to 4 years on charges of “attempts to prevent the judiciary’s job.”