Verdict in Case of Armed Attack on Can Dündar: 10 Months in Prison, Fine in 20 Instalments

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Murat Şahin, who launched an armed attack on journalist Can Dündar in front of İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan and injured the NTV reporter Yağız Şenkal, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison and a criminal fine of 4 thousand 500 Turkish Lira (approx. 650 Euro). The other two defendants have been acquitted.

At the hearing that was held today (October 2) in the İstanbul 28th Penal Court of First Instance, the court board gave a good time conduct to defendant Şahin, who said, "I demand my acquittal and that Can Dündar be penalized for his acts against Turkey." The court also ruled that the criminal fine imposed on the defendant shall be paid in 20 instalments.

The other two defendants Sabri Boyacı, who was tried on charges of "threat, attempted injury with firearm and possession of unregistered firearm", and Habip Ergün Celep, who was tried on charges of "threat and injury with firearm", have been acquitted on the ground that "sufficient, indisputable, irrefutable and credible evidence suggesting that they committed the offences in question could not be collected."

The court board also stated that since another court ruling given to Murat Şahin was previously suspended, the verdict announced today has not been suspended.

What happened?

On May 6, 2016, while journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül were waiting for the ruling of the court in the MIT trucks case in front of Çağlayan Courthouse in İstanbul, Murat Şahin shot at Dündar with a firearm. Yağız Şenkal, the reporter of the NTV news channel, was injured in the attack.

Murat Şahin, who was released after being arrested for six months, faced a prison sentence of 4 to 11 years while the other two defendants faced 2 years and 9 months to 7 years in prison. (ÇT/SD)