Verdict expected for jailed journalists Nazlı Ilıcak and Altan brothers

ISTANBUL

The verdict of the alleged “media wing” of the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) case is expected to be announced at a courthouse in the Silivri district of Istanbul on Feb. 16, the chief judge of the 26th High Criminal Court has said.

Tension erupted on Feb. 12 at the courthouse where the hearing of the case was taking place.

In the ongoing trial, the lawyers of seven defendants - including prominent journalists Nazlı Ilıcak, Mehmet Altan and his older brother, Ahmet Altan - engaged in a heated argument with chief judge Kemal Selçuk Yalçın.

One of the defendants, Fevzi Yazıcı, had asked for extra time to speak but was rejected by the judge. After Yazıcı insisted on speaking about a digital report, Yalçın threatened to remove him from the courtroom.

Lawyer Ergin Cinmen’s request for a procedural examination was also rejected and he was not given permission to speak.

“I will not let you [speak]. I warned you three times,” Yalçın said before ordering Cinmen to leave the courtroom. Another lawyer of the defendants, Sevgi Taş, also voiced opposition to the judge and was removed from the courtroom.

Judge Yalçın postponed the hearing until Feb. 13, when Ahmet Altan will start presenting his defense plea. Following the defense pleas the final verdict in the case will be announced, he added.