Step-by-step trial process of Trabzon Provincial Gendarmerie Command officers
15 February 2007
Ministry of Interior Civil Inspectorate
Submission Report
An investigation was conducted on the allegation that Yasin Hayal’s relative Coşkun İğci gave intelligence to Trabzon gendarmerie officers in July 2006 that Hrant Dink would be killed. A preliminary investigation was requested against the officials.
2 April 2007
Ministry of Interior Civil Inspectorate
Preliminary investigation Report
As a result of the investigation into the allegation that no action was taken as a result of the intelligence received from Coşkun İğci, it was recommended that an investigation warrant should be issued against gendarmerie officers Metin Yıldız, Okan Şimşek, Veysal Şahin and Cevat Eser.
4 April 2007
Trabzon Governorship
Decision on authorization for investigation
The provincial administrative board decided to grant permission for an investigation against Okan Şimşek and Veysal Şahin, and not to grant permission for an investigation against Ali Öz, Metin Yıldız, Mehmet Altınel, Murat Akçe, Nazmi Tamer and Cevat Eser.
20 May 2007
Dink Lawyers
Petition of appeal
An objection petition was submitted against the Trabzon Governorate’s decision not to issue an investigation warrant against Ali Öz and others.
6 June 2007
Trabzon Regional Administrative Court
Evaluation of the objection to the non-authorization of investigation
The court upheld the Governorate’s decision and concluded that Okan Şimsek and Veysal Şahin should be investigated, while Ali Öz and the others did not need to be investigated.
30 October 2007
Trabzon Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Indictment
The prosecutor’s office requested a trial against Okan Şimşek and Veysal Şahin on the charge of ‘abuse of office’. The prosecutor’s office decided not to prosecute Ali Öz and other gendarmerie officers.
10 July 2008
Ministry of Interior Civil Inspectorate
Preliminary investigation Report
In the investigation on Trabzon Gendarmerie officers who allegedly failed to take action despite receiving information that Hrant Dink would be killed, Ali Öz, Metin Yıldız Gazi Günay, Okan Şimşek, Veysal Şahin and Önder Araz were recommended to be granted an investigation permit.
16 July 2008
Trabzon Governorship
Decision on authorization for investigation
A decision was taken to authorize an investigation against Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Ali Öz and Intelligence Branch Chief Metin Yıldız.
25 December 2008
Trabzon Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Indictment
It was requested that Ali Öz, Metin Yıldız, Önder Araz, Veysal Şahin, Okan Şimşek, Hüseyin Yılmaz, Hacı Ömer Önalır and Gazi Günay be prosecuted for ‘negligence of duty’.
18 February 2009
Trabzon 2nd Criminal Court of Peace
Merge Decision
The case against Okan Şimşek and Veysal Şahin was merged with the case against Ali Öz and others at the 2nd Criminal Court of Peace.
29 June 2009
Rize Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office
Indictment
The Ministry of Justice took action after media reports about Colonel Ali Öz and filed a criminal complaint. Rize Prosecutor’s Office, the closest place to Trabzon, issued a new indictment for ‘negligence of duty’.
24 September 2009
Rize High Criminal Court
Reasoned Judgment
It was decided to prosecute Ali Öz for ‘negligence of duty’ and to send the file to Trabzon Court of Assize for the case to be heard.
17 May 2011
Trabzon 1st Court of Assize
Decision to Dismiss the Case
Since there is a case against Ali Öz for ‘negligence of duty’ filed at Trabzon 2nd Criminal Court of Peace, the case filed at the 1st Court of Assize was dismissed.
2 June 2011
Trabzon 2nd Criminal Court of Peace
Judgment
Ali Öz and Metin Yıldız were sentenced to 6 months each, Okan Şimşek, Veysal Şahin, Hacı Ömer Ünalır and Hüseyin Yılmaz to 4 months each for ‘negligence of duty’.
3 June 2013
5th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation
Overturning Decision
It was stated that the case filed against Ali Öz at Trabzon 1st Court of Assize for ‘negligence of duty’ and the case filed at the 2nd Criminal Court of Peace should have been merged and heard together and the 1st Court of Assize’s decision dated 17 May 2011 to ‘dismiss the case’ was overturned.
16 August 2013
Trabzon 1st Court of Assize
preliminary proceedings report
The second ‘negligence of duty’ case against Ali ÖZ resumed after the overturning decision of the Court of Cassation.
11 November 2015
12th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation
Overturning Decision
The sentences of 6 months each for Ali Öz and Metin Yıldız and 4 months each for 4 other officials given by Trabzon 2nd Criminal Court of Peace were overturned. The Court of Cassation stated that the case should have been examined together with the prosecution in Trabzon 1st Court of Assize
7 July 2017
Istanbul 14th Court of Assize
Merge Decision
In the 52nd hearing of the main case, Istanbul 14th Court of Assize accepted the request made by Dink’s lawyers and decided to merge the file of Ali Öz and other defendants on trial at Trabzon 1st Court of Assize with the main case in Istanbul.