Trial on racist killing of Kurdish family in Konya begins

The first hearing of the trial against Mehmet Altun and Çalık and Keleş family members, who are accused of murdering the Dedeoğulları family on 30 July in Konya, opened at Konya 4th High Criminal Court.

Mehmet Altun, the only arrested murder suspect, attended the hearing via Audio Video and Information System (SEGBİS) from prison. Five of the 10 defendants who are not in prison also attended the hearing.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies Züleyha Gülüm, Oya Ersoy, Mahmut Toğrul, Abdullah Koç, Republican People’s Party (CHP) MPs Sezgin Tanrukulu, Levent Gök, HDP Law and Human Rights Commission lawyers, Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) lawyers. , Ankara, Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin, Şırnak, Urfa and Batman bar association presidents and representatives, Human Rights Association (İHD) and Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) lawyers, Turkish Bar Association (TBB) representatives and many people from Konya provinces and districts, journalists also attended the hearing.

Water, phones and computers forbidden in the hall

Before the trial, many police officers stationed at the entrances and exits in front of and behind the Konya Courthouse, controlled people who wanted to enter the courthouse. Journalists and people were prevented from using computers or phones, while water and phone headsets were not allowed in the courtroom. Journalists waiting outside were also prevented from broadcasting in the court yard.

Bar association presidents demanded to be involved in the case and said: “We said that there would be racist attacks due to hate speech, and this terrible picture came to us. We are requesting participation because of the violation of the right to life.”

Then, taking the floor on behalf of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), lawyer Ali Bayram said: “The newly elected bar association board has made it a duty not to leave any bar association alone. We want to request participation in the trial.”

It was noteworthy that three prosecutors instead of one prosecutor attended the first hearing of the case.

While the requests of the bar associations to be involved in the case were rejected, the hearing continues with the lawyers voicing their demands.