ANKARA (AA) - Turkish General Staff Military Court started on Tuesday trial of retired Admiral Ilhami Erdil, former commander of the Naval Forces, his wife Fusun Erdil and his daughter Deniz Erdil on corruption charges.
Colonel Turgay Caglar is acting as the chief judge of the military court.
Dincer Eskiyerli, lawyer of Erdil, requested the court to hold the hearings secretly and impose a media blackout since some media organs had published news reports violating personal rights of his client.
However, Chief Judge Caglar rejected the request.
A public lawsuit was filed against retired Admiral Erdil on November 8th, 2004.
Erdil, who served as the commander of the Naval Forces between 1999 and 2001, is accused of abusing his power and having exerted pressure for military contracts to be allocated to a company headed by his daughter and a close friend. He is also accused of irregularities which resulted in the state footing bills for his personal expenses. Erdil could face up to 18 years in prison if convicted.
Erdil has rejected the accusations against him.
(UK-MS)
2004-12-21