Re-trial Of Four Former Dep Deputies Starts

ANKARA - Four former deputies of the banned Democracy Party (DEP) appeared in the court once again on Friday.
Since the State Security Courts (DGMs) were dissolved in line with Turkey's recent EU reforms packages, Ankara High Criminal Court no: 11 is hearing the case.
During the hearing Yusuf Alatas, the lawyer of former DEP deputies, requested the court to abide by previous decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals.
The High Criminal Court decided to re-try the former DEP deputies in line with decision of the Supreme Court of Appeals.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of Appeals Department no: 9 overturned the decision of the Ankara DGM no: 1 about former DEP deputies Leyla Zana, Orhan Dogan, Hatip Dicle and Selim Sadak ratifying their 15-year imprisonment sentence.
The hearing was adjourned to enable the lawyers of former DEP deputies to prepare their defense.
The next hearing is scheduled to be held on December 17th.
In 1994, Ankara DGM no: 1 sentenced Zana, Dicle, Sadak and Dogan to 15 years in prison in accordance with Article 168 of the Turkish Penal Code related to persons who were a member of an illegal organization, on charges of conducting separatist activities both in Turkey and abroad, on the orders and directives of the terrorist organization PKK.
Under the EU reform packages, former DEP deputies requested a re-trial, and their re-trial started on March 28th, 2003. However on April 21st, 2004, the court insisted on its earlier verdict.
The Supreme Court of Appeals Department no: 9 overturned the decision, and decided to release former DEP deputies from prison on June 9th, 2004.
(UK-ULG) 22.10.2004