DGM Continues Hearing Islamic Scholar's Case

Ankara State Security Court (DGM) yesterday continued to try Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen in absentia for forming an illegal organization to change the country's secular order and being involved in antisecular activities.

Gülen did not attend yesterday's hearing as he is receiving medical treatment in the U.S. His three lawyers were present at the court on Monday.

Prosecutor Hamza Keles asked court chairman Huseyin Eken to issue a warrant for Gülen's arrest.

However, Gülen's lawyer Abdulkadir Aksoy rejected the demand for his client's arrest since there was no evidence necessitating his arrest.

Court chairman Eken rejected the issue of a warrant and postponed the hearing to give time for the lawyers to prepare their defense.

The prosecutor is seeking a maximum 10-year sentence for Gülen. 01.21.2003