Akyürek: I informed the prime minister about Cerrah's request

Dink case continues in Istanbul 14th High Penal Court. The cross examination of Ramazan Akyürek, who worked as the chief of General Directorate of Security of Trabzon before the murder and as the chief of Security General Directorate Intelligence Branch during murder, is completed. 

There has been some changes in the court. Chief judge Canel Rüzgar is assigned to 17th High Penal Court. Ali İhsan Horasan, who is assigned to 14th High Penal Court, will be the new chief judge.

In the cross examination, Ramazan Akyürek's claim concerning Celalettin Cerrah, the chief of Istanbul Security Directorate at the time of murder, is brought up again. Ramazan Akyürek had claimed that Cerrah asked him to destroy a document, but he objected against this request. The court and the Dink family's lawyers asked whether he informed anyone about Cerrah's request. Akyürek stated: “When I went to the office of prime minister, ministers of justice and interior were also there. I informed the prime minister about our meeting with Cerrah. I also mentioned Cerrah's request.”

“Istanbul had to protect Dink”

Akyürek was also asked why Dink hadn't been protected. Dink family's lawyer Hakan Bakırcıoğlu asked why he didn't initiate protection measures as the chief of Security General Directorate Intelligence Branch. Akyürek said: “Executive organs are the general directorates in Ankara and in the city. A letter could have been written for initiating the protection measures. However, Istanbul had to protect Dink anyway. They had the intelligence report and the governor's office also had the executive information.”

The examination of Akyürek is completed. The case will continue with the defence of civil inspector Şükrü Yıldız.