Akyürek: Cerrah asked me to destroy a document

Yesterday, on the second day of hearings of Dink murder case, arrested suspect Ramazan Akyürek, who was former chief of Security General Directorate Intelligence Branch, spoke during the cross examination of Ahmet İlhan Güler. He made an important claim about Celalettin Cerrah. 

“He asked me to destroy the document that was sent to Istanbul”

Here is Akyürek's statement:

“After Erhan Tuncel's statement was heard after the murder, the minister of interior of the time forced me to go to Istanbul. Before I went to Istanbul, Celalettin Cerrah called me from his office. He asked me to destroy the document that was sent to Istanbul from Trabzon on February 17, 2006, reporting that an impactful action will be taken against Dink. The next day, I went to Istanbul. Cerrah was with Ahmet İlhan Güler, Aydın Türkeli and Selin Kutkan. I said to his face that I wouldn't do such a thing.”

“He might be mentally unstable”

Ahmet İlhan Güler said that he hadn't witnessed such a conversation. Celalettin Cerrah also spoke after Akyürek's claims: “Throughout my 45-year-long career, I have never been faced with such an accusation. I didn't do such a thing. The destruction of the mentioned document would be good for Akyürek and Trabzon branch, not for me. Why would I ask for such a thing when there are 3 more people with us? Do I look stupid? Akyürek has been in prison for a long time. He might be psychologically distressed. I am pressing charges against him.”

Cerrah also demanded a mental health report is issued for Akyürek in order to understand whether he is mentally stable.

The hearing will continue on Thursday with defence of Sabri Uzun. On Friday, Celalettin Cerrah will present his defence.