President of Ankara 22nd Heavy Penal Court assigned to Kobanê Case dismissed

Bahtiyar Çolak, the President of Ankara’s 22nd High Criminal Court, who was specially appointed for the Kobanê Case opened against 108 people, 21 of whom are in prison, including the former co-chairs of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Central Executive Committee (MYK) members and executives, was dismissed by the decision of the Council of Prosecutors (HSK). It has been learned that Çolak, who was dismissed by the decision of the HSK on November 4, has not yet been appointed.

“Absent for Covid-19” allegation

In the second session of the 4th hearing of the Kobanê Case, held on 21 September, Yıldıray Kaya, one of the court members who temporarily presided over the hearing, claimed that Bahtiyar Çolak had tested positive for Covid-19. The hearing, however, was not postponed and continued on 23 September under the presidency of Yıldıray Kaya.

In the 5th hearing of the case, which started on 18 October, the head of the interim court, Yıldıray Kaya, stated that Bahtiyar Çolak could not attend the hearings for 1 or 2 months due to his illness.

New appointment from Court moving objections

Yıldıray Kaya, who was temporarily appointed to the Ankara 22nd Heavy Penal Court by the decision of the HSK dated 4 November, was named as the head of the court.

Murat Dönmez from the 23rd High Criminal Court of Ankara, which is the decision maker of the objections made against the 22nd Heavy Penal Court, was appointed to replace Yıldıray Kaya.