Trabzon’s Criminal Court of First Instance ruled that there was no need to send the case for the two gendarmerie officials who are on trial for neglect in the murder of Hrant Dink to the High Criminal Court.

On September 26, 2008, Trabzon’s  2nd Criminal Court of First Instance had reached the lack of jurisdiction decision for the case of Petty Officer Okan Şimşek and Master Sergeant Veysel Şahin, both of whom were on duty at Trabzon’s Provincial Gendarmerie Command Post at the time of the murder of Hrant Dink.

The case will continue at the same court

Captain Hüsamettin Polat, Branch Director of Trabzon’s Provincial Gendarmerie Command Post Unit for Fight Against Smuggling and Organized Crime,  had told in his testimony that he had passed the tip regarding Dink’s assassination to his superiors, including Commander of Trabzon’s Provincial Command Post Colonel Ali Öz.

However, taking into consideration prosecutor’s objection, the 1st Criminal Court of First Instance had decided for the continuance of the case at the 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance.

The two officials represent the bottom of the hierarchy among the officials of the Trabzon Provincial Command Post that Dink’s lawyers would like to have prosecuted.

The lawyers want the court to try Colonel Ali Öz, Gendarmerie Intelligence Branch Director Captain Metin Yıldız, Gendarmerie Company Commander of the Center District Second Lieutenant Murat Akçe and Commander of the Gendarmerie Central Post Sergeant Major Cevat Eser.

Şahin and Şimşek are facing two years in prison

Şimşek and Şahin, who were informed about the plans for Dink’s assassination by gendarmerie informant Coşkun İğci, are facing between six month to two year jail sentence.

Afetr İğci had told that he had conveyed the information regarding Dink’s assassination to Şahin and Şimşek, the two officials had changed their statement and said that they had brought up the information given by İğci during a meeting with their superior Colonel Öz, but the necessary measures were not taken.

All of the officials connected with Colonel Öz had later confirmed Şahin's and Şimşek’s statements during their testimonies given at Trabzon’s Criminal Court of First Instance. (EÖ/TB)