Ergenekon verdict predictable, Turkish Bar head says

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Union of Turkish Bar Associations head Metin Feyzioğlu (2R) speaks to reporters outside of the Silivri Courthouse, where Ergenekon trials take place. DHA photo

The head of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), Metin Feyzioğlu, said that it was more or less possible to predict the verdict of the Ergenekon case which is to be announced at the Silivri courthouse Aug.5.

“It is more or less possible to predict how the verdict is going to be from today,” said Feyzioğlu during his visit to the area Aug.4, where he went to the watch tents set up before the Silivri prison by the relatives of the Ergenekon indictees.

“When we look around, even the ban to prevent citizens from reaching this region and taking precautions to implement this ban at all costs, is an important sign for the decision the court is going to give,” Feyzioğlu said, together with the board members of the TBB and the Ankara Bar Association.

The Ergenekon case, which focuses on an alleged coup plot, is a significant legal battle that has been continuing for the last four years and two months. The case has seen hundreds of suspects detained and tried on accusations of attempting to overthrow the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government.

Feyzioğlu said that what they understood from Istanbul Gov. Avni Mutlu’s statements was that the citizens were banned from entering a hearing that should normally be open to the public, and that the governor threatened the people who wanted to come to the trial’s conclusion by relying on the court’s decision.

“This situation, which is seen to have been debated upon beforehand and is in fact acted concertedly, is already the news of tomorrow from today,” said Feyzioğlu.

Former president speaks on Ergenekon

Meanwhile, former Turkish president Süleyman Demirel commented on the Ergenekon trial’s conclusion, saying that it was a “big incident.”

“Let us hope that a decision will not come out that will hurt the nation… [and] hurt justice. Let us hope that justice will be served, and people will not be punished unjustly,” said Demirel, Turkey’s ninth President.

Demirel added that it would be surprising if a person who did not know what he was accused of and was also not told of the allegations against him were to be punished. “Let us see what happens. We trust the Turkish judiciary,” he said.