The Sinan Ateş Assassination Trial so far

Gray wolves killed their own. An assassination; all know who the culprit is. But power plays will determine the outcome.

Developments of the Last Three Days in the Sinan Ateş Trial

Day 1 (July 1, 2024)

• Start of the Trial: The trial on the murder of Sinan Ateş, former President of the Grey Wolves Ocakları, started at the Sincan Penal Institutions Campus. The hearing started at 09:00 under intense security measures[2].
• In the first hearing, eight defendants made their defenses. Eray Özyağcı, the alleged shooter, denied his previous statements and claimed that the murder was not politically motivated. Doğukan Çep admitted that he instigated the murder[1][8].
• Participants:** Sinan Ateş’s wife Ayşe Ateş, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and other political figures attended the hearing. Ayşe Ateş came to the hearing wearing a body armor[2].

Day 2 (July 2, 2024)

• Defenses of the Defendants:** In the second hearing, the defendants continued their defenses. Especially Suat Kurt denied the murder and stated that he only made a reconnaissance. The defendants claimed that the incident was not a planned murder[1][6].
• Court Decisions: The court rejected the MHP’s request to participate in the case. MHP Deputy Chairman for Legal and Electoral Affairs Feti Yıldız stated that this decision was against the procedure and the law[1].

Day 3 (July 3, 2024)

• Testimony of the Last Defendants: On the third day, the testimonies of the last defendants were taken and the defenses of the defendant lawyers began. Vedat Balkaya, who kidnapped the shooter from the scene, changed his testimony and claimed that he did not know the details of the incident[5][12].
• Reaction of the Presiding Judge:** The presiding judge pounded the table due to the contradictions and inconsistencies in the testimonies of the defendants. This caused tense moments in the hearing[14].

General Evaluation

• The defendants claimed that the murder was not planned and that they only wanted to injure Sinan Ateş. However, the prosecution argues that the murder was planned and organized[1][4].
• Family and Public Reaction:** Sinan Ateş’s family and the public are waiting for a fair conclusion to the trial. Especially Ayşe Ateş stated on social media that the case is a “conspiracy” and that she wants justice[2][6].
  During these three days, the trial witnessed important developments, and the defendants’ testimonies and defenses impacted the course of the trial. As the hearings continue, more details are expected to emerge.

Citations:
1. BBC – Sinan Ateş Davası Başladı
2. Medyascope – Sinan Ateş Davası Canlı İzle
3. Cumhuriyet – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası 3. Duruşma Günü
4. BBC – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası
5. NTV – Sinan Ateş Davasında Üçüncü Gün
6. Medyascope – Sinan Ateş Davası Üçüncü Gün Oturumu Canlı Oku
7. YouTube – Sinan Ateş Davası Video 1
8. Euronews – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası
9. YouTube – Sinan Ateş Davası Video 2
10. YouTube – Sinan Ateş Davası Video 3
11. Hürriyet – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası 3. Duruşma Günü
12. NTV – Sinan Ateş Davası Üçüncü Gün
13. YouTube – Sinan Ateş Davası Video 4
14. DW – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası
15. YouTube – Sinan Ateş Davası Video 5

The hitrman’s Eray Özyağcı’s testimony has undergone significant changes. Here are the details of these changes:

1. Previous Statement: In his first statement, Eray Özyağcı had said that the murder was politically motivated and that he acted on the instructions of some MHP figures[1][3].
2. New Statement: In his new statement in court, Özyağcı denied his previous statements. He claimed that the murder had no political motivation[1][2].
3. Murder Plan: In his new statement, Özyağcı said that the murder was not planned and that they only wanted to injure Sinan Ateş[2][3].
4. MHP Relationship: Özyağcı, who accused some MHP figures in his first statement, retracted these allegations in his court testimony and stated that the incident had nothing to do with the MHP[1][3].
5. Change in Motivation: Özyağcı changed the motivation behind the murder from “political” to “a personal matter”[2][4].
6. Change of Details: Özyağcı withdrew or changed some of the specific details he gave in his first testimony (such as who gave instructions)[3][4].
   These changes may affect the course of the case and are being carefully scrutinized by the prosecution and the court. These inconsistencies in testimonies increase the complexity of the case and make it difficult to uncover the truth[1][4].

Citations:
1. SOL Haber – MHP’nin Sinan Ateş Savunması Başladı
2. Bursada Bugün – Sinan Ateş Davasında Tetikçinin İfadesi Çıktı
3. Patronlar Dünyası – Sinan Ateş’in Tetikçisi Eray Özyayçının İfadesi
4. Euronews – Sinan Ateş Cinayeti Davası İlk Duruşma

Sinan Ateş Assassination Trial: Key Developments

Background
Sinan Ateş, the former leader of the ultranationalist Grey Wolves organization, was assassinated on December 30, 2022, in Ankara. The Grey Wolves, affiliated with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), are known for their far-right ultranationalist stance. Ateş was shot by two assailants who fled the scene on a motorcycle[1][2][3].

Trial Commencement
The trial began on July 1, 2024, in Ankara’s Sincan district under tight security measures, including a 10-kilometer security zone. The trial has attracted significant political attention, with prominent figures such as CHP leader Özgür Özel, former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, and İYİ Party chairman Müsavat Dervişoğlu in attendance[1][3][4].

Defendants and Charges
The case involves 22 defendants, with aggravated life sentences requested for three key individuals:
– Eray Özyağcı: Alleged gunman.
– Vedat Balkaya: Alleged accomplice.
– Suat Kurt: Alleged scout who tracked Ateş’s movements.

The indictment accuses Özyağcı of receiving instructions to shoot Ateş in the feet but ultimately killing him. Özyağcı testified that he was instructed by another defendant, Doğukan Çep, and claimed that the murder was not politically motivated but related to a financial dispute[1][3][4].

Political Implications

The trial has significant political ramifications, with allegations of involvement from MHP officials. Olcay Kılavuz, an advisor to MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, was dismissed from his role due to his alleged connection to the case. Kılavuz owned the house where one of the accomplices was detained, further fueling speculation about MHP’s involvement[2][3].

Statements and Reactions

• Ayşe Ateş, Sinan Ateş’s widow, has been vocal about seeking justice, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and the inclusion of all relevant evidence. She has been living under high security and has met with both opposition leaders and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[1][3][4].
• Political Figures: Various politicians have expressed their support for the Ateş family and called for justice. The trial’s proceedings have been closely monitored by the media and political entities, highlighting the case’s broader implications for Turkish politics[1][3][4].

Citations:
[1] https://medyascope.tv/2024/07/01/trial-begins-in-murder-of-ultranationalist-leader/
[2] https://www.duvarenglish.com/interior-minister-visits-mhp-leader-bahceli-mhp-dismisses-suspect-in-sinan-ates-case-news-64419
[3] https://www.duvarenglish.com/turkish-court-holds-first-hearing-of-sinan-ates-case-15-years-after-murder-news-64597
[4] https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/first-hearing-held-in-case-of-ex-nationalist-leader-murder-198010