In the second Ergenekon trial, in which 56 defendants are on trial, the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court has rejected the demands for a change of lawyer. This means that judge Sedat Sami Haşıloğlu will remain at the head of the court.
Court case continues in August with same judges
As a higher court, the 14th High Criminal Court rejected the change for the Ergenekon trial, which is being heard at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court.
Köksal Bayraktar, lawyer for the defendant retired general Hurşit Tolon, had expressed his and his client's "serious reservations" about the judge at the first hearing. They had argued that because the judge had personally taken part in the questioning of Tolon, had allowed the taking of a statement although the four days of permissible custody had been exceeded, and had signed 40 percent of the arrest warrants, he should withdraw from the trial.
Lawyers of several other defendants had also called for different judges.
The next hearing of the case is on 6 August. (EÖ/AGÜ)
