Written by Turkish Daily News. Posted in News.

Istanbul DGM Lifts Gülen Arrest Warrant

Istanbul No. 2 State Security Court (DGM) lifted the arrest warrant issued by Ankara No. 2 DGM for Fethullah Gülen, one of the most famous religious leaders in Turkey, on Monday.

The arrest decision was made a few weeks ago by Ankara No. 2 DGM at the request of the DGM Chief Public Prosecutor Nuh Mete Yuksel, who has been conducting an investigation into Gülen for almost a year. Yuksel has been claiming that Gülen incited people to hatred and enmity on the basis of religious, ethnic and regional differences under the controversial Article 312 of the Turkish Criminal Code (TCK). Yuksel first applied to Ankara No. 1 DGM to have an arrest warrant for Gülen issued, yet the court turned down the request, yet the court turned down the request. Yuksel then applied to Ankara No.2 DGM, a higher court, and this time the warrant was issued.

Defense lawyers challenged the arrest decision for Gülen, who has been undergoing medical treatment in the United States for some time. The appeal file consisting of some 12 dossiers has been processed by the Istanbul No. 2 DGM since Aug. 23. The Istanbul No. 2 DGM since Aug. 23. The Istanbul No. 2 DGM delegation ruled that there was not enough evidence for Gülen's arrest. These were the grounds upon which the Ankara No.1 DGM originally turned down Yuksel's request.

There is no appeal against the Istanbul DGM decision.

A mistake in discretion

Evaluating the Istanbul DGM decision, Yuksel said that the decision, Yuksel said that the decision was a mistake in discretion. Speaking to the press, he stated that the ordinary legal procedure would be followed from now on, meaning that he would continue with his investigation and then bring charges against Gülen. Asked about when those charge would be brought, Yuksel replied "as soon as possible."

Yuksel also emphasized that he could not challenge the Istanbul DGM decision in any way.

Lawyers welcome the decision

Speaking to the press about the latest DGM decision, one of Gülen's lawyers, Orhan Erdemli, said that they had welcomed the decision. Erdemli also stated that it was impossible for the time being for Gülen to return to Turkey, since his medical treatment is still continuing. Erdemli claimed that Gülen's health situation was so serious that he could not even board an airplane. 08.29.2000

Created on 14 September 2001.