Council of State Attack to be Merged With Ergenekon Case

Ankara 11th High Criminal Court rules to join the case regarding a armed assault at the Council of state with the Ergenekon case, where more than 80 people are on trial for conspiring against the government.

The Ankara court would demand approval from Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court, which oversees the Ergenekon case.

Accused gunman Alparslan Aslan protested at today's hearing; shouting, "You can't try the headscarf. I'll stab those dare to touch the headscarves of women." He was removed from the court.

Supreme Court of Appeal overturned a previous ruling on December 2008, on the basis that the case must be joined with the Ergenekon case. On 13 February, the Ankara 11th Heavy Penal Court sentenced Arslan to two life sentences under severe conditions as well as 68 years and 9 months further imprisonment.

Three other defendants, Osman Yıldırım, İsmail Sağır, and Erhan Timuroğlu were given life sentences for attempting to change the constitutional order. They were accused of helping to kill Özbilgin and in the attempt to kill the other members, of throwing bombs at the Cumhuriyet newspaper and of being found in possession of bombs. They were each sentenced to 43 years, 11 months and 15 days imprisonment. 

Tekin İrşi and Süleyman Esen were sentenced to 10 years, 2 months and 15 months each for being members of an armed organisation and being found in possession of explosives. Three others were acquitted.

On 17 May 2006, Arslan went to the Council of State building and proceeded through the checkpoint showing his lawyer's ID card. He opened fire at the members of the 2nd Department, which previously made a ruling on the ban against wearing headscarves at universities.

Judge Mustafa Yücel Özbilgin died at the scene. Two others were wounded.(TK/AGÜ)