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REQUEST FOR SAMAST'S RELEASE DISMISSED
BIAnet.org
http://www.bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/135655-request-for-samasts-release-dismissed
Jan 24 2012
Turkey
The Court of Appeals rejected the request of Ogun Samast to benefit
from the regulation that the upper limit for the period of arrest for
defendants of heavy crimes is five years. Samast, convicted murder
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink, will remain in prison.
Istanbul - BİA News Center24 January 2012, Tuesday The Court of
Appeals dismissed the application filed by Ogun Samast, convicted
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, to benefit from the
regulation stipulating that the upper limit for the period of arrest
for defendants of heavy crimes is set at five years.
The Court of Appeals 1st Criminal Office rejected Samast's request to
be released. Samast was sentenced to imprisonment of 22 years and ten
months on charges of "premeditated murder" and "unlicensed possession
of weapons" on 25 July 2011.
After the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court acquitted all defendants
of the Dink murder trial of charges of "membership in an illegal
organization" on 17 January, it was reported that Yasin Hayal and
Ogun Samast might be released according to Article 102 of the Criminal
Procedure Law (CMK).
Article 102 CMK defines the duration of detention. The limit for the
period of arrest for defendants of heavy crimes is set at five years
and for defendants charged with "terror crimes" at ten years. Thus,
there was the possibility of early release.
Lawyer Cem Halavurt, joint attorney of the Dink family, had told
bianet, "There is the possibility of early release for Samast. He was
handed down a prison sentence of 22 years and ten months. The file does
not include organization charges any more. Hence, the offence committed
fell under the scope of 'petty crimes'. In this situation, the period
to be served in prison was reduced by one third. Since it was a petty
crime the release is required once five years are exceeded". (IC/VK)
BIAnet.org
http://www.bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/135655-request-for-samasts-release-dismissed
Jan 24 2012
Turkey
The Court of Appeals rejected the request of Ogun Samast to benefit
from the regulation that the upper limit for the period of arrest for
defendants of heavy crimes is five years. Samast, convicted murder
of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink, will remain in prison.
Istanbul - BİA News Center24 January 2012, Tuesday The Court of
Appeals dismissed the application filed by Ogun Samast, convicted
murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, to benefit from the
regulation stipulating that the upper limit for the period of arrest
for defendants of heavy crimes is set at five years.
The Court of Appeals 1st Criminal Office rejected Samast's request to
be released. Samast was sentenced to imprisonment of 22 years and ten
months on charges of "premeditated murder" and "unlicensed possession
of weapons" on 25 July 2011.
After the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court acquitted all defendants
of the Dink murder trial of charges of "membership in an illegal
organization" on 17 January, it was reported that Yasin Hayal and
Ogun Samast might be released according to Article 102 of the Criminal
Procedure Law (CMK).
Article 102 CMK defines the duration of detention. The limit for the
period of arrest for defendants of heavy crimes is set at five years
and for defendants charged with "terror crimes" at ten years. Thus,
there was the possibility of early release.
Lawyer Cem Halavurt, joint attorney of the Dink family, had told
bianet, "There is the possibility of early release for Samast. He was
handed down a prison sentence of 22 years and ten months. The file does
not include organization charges any more. Hence, the offence committed
fell under the scope of 'petty crimes'. In this situation, the period
to be served in prison was reduced by one third. Since it was a petty
crime the release is required once five years are exceeded". (IC/VK)