Court rules to issue writ requesting Deniz Yücel’s defense be taken via letters rogatory
İstanbul - Trial where PEN Germany President and Die Welt reporter Deniz Yücel, whom Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) defends, faces charges of “insulting the president” and “publicly degrading the Turkish nation, state government and the state’s judicial bodies” resumed at İstanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance today. The court ruled to issue a writ requesting to take Yücel’s defense statement via letters rogatory from his country of residence; hearing was adjourned until April 12, 2022.
Yücel, who lives in Germany, did not attend the hearing whereas his lawyer Veysel Ok was present in the courtroom. Press members and observers were not allowed to enter the courtroom because due to pandemic precautions. The hearing began with the reading of the minutes of the previous hearing, as the judge was replaced by a new one.
Lawyer Ok was the first to speak at the hearing, he requested the issuing of a writ for taking Yücel’s defense statement. The prosecution requested the completion of the missing documents in the case file.
The newly appointed judge, Ali Çalı, ruled to issue a writ requesting Yücel’s statement to be taken via letters rogatory, and adjourned the hearing until April 12, 2022.