The Istanbul Courthouse ruled to continue the remand in custody of the suspects facing charges of being members of a terrorist organization.
Defendants Prof. Dr. Yalçın Küçük, former Police Chief Hanefi Avcı and journalists Nedim Şener, Ahmet Şık and Soner Yalçın were all present for the 8th hearing of the Odatv Case being tried at the Istanbul Courthouse Special Authority 16th High Criminal Court. They are currently being remanded in custody for charges of being members of a terrorist organization.
CHP Denizli Deputy İlhan Cihaner and journalists Uğur Dündar and Ruşen Çakır watched the hearing. When Şener noticed Dündar was present at the hearing, he stated, "Welcome to the theatre".
Ahmet Şık was the first defendant to speak yesterday, in which he expressed that he was a journalist "looking for the truth", who cares about work ethics. "Naturally, I am here in court as a suspect in custody because my enemies know me. In the 20 years of my career, I have written everything in an accurate and truthful manner. I am not requesting my release."
Defendant Hanefi Avcı stated, "According to the indictment, my book was organized by Odatv. Neither I nor my book has anything to do with Odatv."
Suspect Nedim Şener, offered his defense following Avcı and when he recalled the words of journalist Sedat Simavi, "Break your pen, but don't sell it," he was overcome with emotions.
'WE CAN TAKE A BREAK IF YOU LIKE'
The Chief Judge responded by stating, "If you like, we can take a break," Şener responded by stating, "Yes, that would be good," and the court went into a break. Afterwards, Şener continued his defense by stating, "My daughter says, 'My father is being tried for being in a terrorist organization. If my father is truly a terrorist, I cannot support him, because terrorists kill people," in his attempt to express the heavy price he is paying for being tried for false allegations.