Ercan Demir From Dink Case Released

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Ercan Demir; former staff of Trabzon Intelligence Directorate has been released in the trial regarding the murder of Agos Weekly Editor-in-Chief Hrant Dink.

Demir has continued his plea in the trial held before İstanbul 14th High Criminal Court. Demir has in his plea has appealed to Engin Dinç, the director of the intelligence department, as “Dinç knows what I am and what I am not”. With regards to the claims in the bill of indictment that “It is Demir, who has shared the information regarding the action which would have a tremendous impact”, Demir has said, “The Engin Dinç carries the authority”.   

The trial will proceed on August 8, 9 and 11, 12 and Demir’s plea will continue.

Who is Ercan Demir?

Ercan Demir was the Chief of Trabzon Security Directorate Intelligence Department at the time of the murder. Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) on July 1, 2014 had ordered to run an investigation into Demir’s responsibility regarding the murder.

Demir had been assigned to Cizre District Security Directorate during the Kobane protests. Hakan Bakrcııoğlu, one of the attorneys of Dink family talkin to bianet had noted that Ercan Demir was among those who were responsible for Dink’s murder.

On January 12, he had testified to Prosecutor Gökalp Kökçü holding the investigation. He had later been referred to İstanbul Criminal Court of Peace on duty and released with a ban on leaving the country.

Following prosecutor’s objection to Demir being released, the court has issued an arrest order for Demir. He is under arrest since January 19, 2015. (EA/DG)