Dink case: Yılmazer left his defence incomplete

As part of Dink case, the trial of public officials including Ramazan Akyürek, Celalettin Cerrah, Ahmet İlhan Güler and Engin Dinç continues in Istanbul.

Yılmazer still refuses to answer the allegations about him. Continuing to criticize the indictment, Yılmazer said, “I am here because I disturbed the gangs within the state.”

Yılmazer read the records of the hearing in which Muhittin Zenit, a police officer from Trabzon Intelligence Branch, gave statement. Yılmazer criticized the questions of judge Cem Karaca. Yılmazer said that he wishes what happened to him (meaning, arrest) happens to Cem Karaca, who is not a judge in the case anymore. 

After this remark, judge Ali İhsan Horasan interrupted Yılmazer and asked him not to wish somebody ill in the courtroom. Yılmazer and Horasan quarreled for a while.

After the lunch break, Yılmazer stated that he won't continue to present his defence.

“You might think that my defence is too long, but you know the claims in the indictment against me. This is not a proper indictment, real culprits are left out and innocent people are accused. I don't think that you are fair, impartial and independent. You are project courts. I presented my defence despite this fact. My defence is full of information and documents, but I don't want to continue, since it won't lead anywhere despite all my efforts.”

Dink family's lawyer Hakan Bakırcıoğlu said that Yılmazer should continue. 

Yılmazer also demanded his daughter and lawyer Fatma Saadet Yılmazer leaves the room and quits.

The court postponed the hearing to March 16. Meanwhile, a petition will be written to Bar Association for assigning a new lawyer to Yılmazer.