ANKARA - It was revealed that witness statements were taken without the presence of lawyers before proceeding with the merits in Kobané Case. Lawyer Nuray Özdaoğan said: "Even though we started our defences on merits, we see witness statements in the online system (UYAP).

 

The third session of the second hearing of the Kobanê Trial has started with the defences of the attorneys. There are 108 defendants from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP); while 28 people have been arrested pending trial, there are judicial control measures on six and warrants against 75 people. Nuray Özdoğan, attorney of HDP Central Executive Board member Bergin Özgül Köse and former MP Emine Beyza Üstün made her defence. Özdoğan said witness statements were taken in a court where the attorneys were not present.

 

Özdağan shared the information that witness statements were taken without the presence of the lawters before proceeding with the merits and said: "How can you take witness statements before proceeding with the merits? Even though we haven't proceeded with the merits yet, there are witness statements in the online system (UYAP). We have to see those witnesses here. I want to know where these witnesses were listened to, in which Courthouse they gave their statements. I want to decide for myself if I want to be there while the statements of those witnesses are taken. These are witness statements on merits."