Terrorist Erdal Not To Be Tried In Belgium

BRUSSELS - Court of Bruges decided that Fehriye Erdal, member of terrorist organization DHKP-C, cannot be tried in Belgium for the murder of Mr. Sabanci.
Court also decided that DHKP-C militants will be tried in Bruges criminal court on charges of stockpiling weapons and possessing illegal propaganda materials back to 1999.
According to verdict, Belgian courts have no authority to try Fehriye Erdal who is a suspect of Sabanci assassination. Sabanci Group's Automotive Branch Chairman Ozdemir Sabanci, Toyota-Sa General Director Haluk Gorgun and secretary Nilgun Hasefe were killed on Jan. 9, 1996 and Erdal is one of the suspects. Fernand Schmitz, lawyer of Sabanci family, said that they will appeal to Gent Court.
Fehriye Erdal was caught on Sept. 26, 1999 in Belgium carrying a fake passport. Belgium turned down Turkish government's request to extradite Erdal to Turkey. The Belgian government also rejected to give political asylum to Erdal and decided that Erdal should be kept under house arrest until she is tried of the crimes she committed in Belgium.