Criminal court board abandons Suruç massacre case

On July 20, 2015, an ISIS suicide bomber detonated explosives outside Suruç Municipality’s Amara Cultural Center as members of the Federation of Socialist Youth Associations prepared to travel to Kobane in Rojava to aid in the town’s reconstruction following its liberation from ISIS forces. The attack claimed the lives of 33 people.

The Urfa 6th High Criminal Court board, which announced a ruling in the Suruç massacre case last year, has decided to withdraw from the case.

Having sentenced Yakup Şahin, the only suspect in the case, to 34 times aggravated life imprisonment, the court board dealing with the Suruç Massacre Case has decided to withdraw from the case of İlhami Ballı and Deniz Büyükçelebi whose files were separated.

On October 22 last year, Yakup Şahin was sentenced to 34 times aggravated life imprisonment at the final hearing in the case concerning the Suruç massacre organized by Turkey-backed ISIS members.

The court also decided to separate the cases of other defendants, İlhami Bali and Deniz Büyükçelebi, since they were being sought for arrest and their statements had not been taken.

FIRST HEARING IS ON FEBRUARY 18

The victims of the massacre and the lawyers of the Justice for Suruç Platform requested a recusation at the 20th and 21st hearings of the case.

The 6th High Criminal Court in Urfa requested to abandon the ongoing case against İlhami Bali and Deniz Büyükçelebi. The 5th High Criminal Court, which examined the withdrawal request, has announced its ruling.

The public prosecutor found the withdrawal request of the court board in accordance with the laws and procedures. The 5th High Criminal Court in Urfa stated that there was “animosity” between the lawyers and the court board and assigned the 2nd High Criminal Court in Urfa to deal with the case.

The court ruled that the first hearing in the separate cases would be held on February 18, 2022.