İZMİR - Stating that despite the two years that have passed since Deniz Poyraz was murdered, mother Fehime Poyraz said: "We will continue our struggle to hold those responsible accountable as long as we live."

 

Onur Gencer, who attacked the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İzmir Provincial Organization building on June 17, 2021, murdered Deniz Poyraz, who was in the party building he entered. While the police, who came to the front of the party with a tip-off over the gunfire, did not intervene in the event for minutes, they detained Gencer, who came down later, saying "what's your name bro". Meanwhile, thousands of HDP supporters, who received the news of the attack on the party, flocked to the party building. Fehime Poyraz, the mother of Poyraz, who received the news of her daughter's murder, gave the message of 'One Deniz died, thousands Deniz will replace her". The message was embraced by all segments of the society.

 

Gencer claimed that he planned the attack alone, while posting photos of Poyraz he had murdered and sayin "Kill more HDP members". While Gencer was in custody, photos of him with a gun began to be shared on social media accounts. On the social media account belonging to Gencer, it was revealed that he took pictures in various cities of Syria with different models of weapons. In his statement, Gencer claimed that he worked as a health worker in Manbij, Syria. While Gencer was arrested on the charge of "killing by design" by the court he was brought before 24 hours after the incident, the police said that he had "no connection with the organization" despite his photos.

 

THE INDICTMENT WAS ANNOUNCED

 

After his arrest, the investigation conducted against the murderer Onur Gencer was completed on October 11, 2021. In the indictment prepared by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Onur Gencer was sentenced to aggravated life sentence for "deliberate killing by design" and up to 7 years in prison on charges of "violating workplace immunity" and "damaging buildings, facilities or goods used by political parties or professional organizations". It is noteworthy that the indictment, which is full of contradictions, contains the phrase "The defendant was diagnosed with 'anxiety disorder' and 'mild depressive episode diagnosis' in 2016", which may also have a prejudicial nature regarding the case process; however, in the report of the Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Hospital Chief Physician dated February 22, 2021, it was stated that Gencer did not have any psychological disorders.

 

GENCER HAS AFFILIATED WITH SOLDIERS AND NATIONALISTS

 

It was also argued in the indictment that the defendant was not affiliated with any organization, and it was argued that the incident was an individual incident. Considering the HTS records and witness statements in the indictment, it was understood that Gencer was in contact with soldiers and nationalists. It was also stated in the indictment that three of Gencer's contacts were soldiers. It was determined that Gencer, who was constantly meeting with these people, was wanted by these people after the attack. It was also noteworthy that Gencer's contacts were searched for a FETO/PDY connection. In the indictment, it was stated, "In the investigation, it was determined that the phone numbers of 8 people who were investigated for the crime of being a member of the FETÖ/PDY terrorist organization were recorded in the directory, but no evidence could be obtained that these people were related to the incident."

 

GENCER HAS AFFILIATED WITH SADAT

 

The indictment also included investigations into the information that Gencer was linked to the International Defense Consulting Construction Industry and Trade Inc. (SADAT), which has always been on the agenda with the training of paramilitary groups that Turkey has fought in different countries and its relations with the Palace. It was stated that there was no evidence that Gencer had a connection with SADAT, and said: "In the researches made on the allegations in the public opinion that the suspect received armed training in Syria within the company titled SADAT, in 2020, the institutional correspondences that he was in Syria as an officer of the Ministry of Health, since it is compatible with hotel records, telephone HTS records and bus-flight records, no evidence could be obtained in this regard.

 

TRIAL WITHOUT A LAWYER

 

In the 5th hearing held on October 12, 2022, the interim decision of the new head of the court board caused controversy. The head of the delegation, who did not give the right to speak to the lawyers participating in the case with a certificate of authorization, threatened to take the lawyers out. The delegation, which interrupted the hearing, decided that the trial should continue in Aliağa Şakran Prison campus. Lawyers and members of the press, who came to Şakran Prison Campus for the 6th hearing held on October 14, 2022, were not allowed into the courtroom with the decision of the court board, although there was no closed trial decision in the file. The court board, who objected to the decision and wanted to take an interim decision, was forced out of the courtroom by the gendarmerie and started the hearing without lawyers. This time, the phones and computers of the lawyers who wanted to enter the hall were confiscated. At the hearing without lawyers, the prosecutor gave his opinion. When the lawyers, who were waiting outside and had a certificate of authorization, turned to the door to enter the campus, they were attacked by the gendarmerie.

 

THE HEARING OF DECISION

 

Lawyers, press and participants were not allowed into the courtroom again at the 7th hearing held on December 27, 2022. A fine search was imposed on Erinç Sağkan, President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB), and his lawyers, who entered the campus to meet with the court committee, in order to enter the hall. The court, which rendered its decision in the hearing, where the lawyers did not attend protesting the situation, sentenced Gencer to aggravated life imprisonment for "deliberately killing by design", 4 years in prison for "damaging property", 2 years in prison for "violating the immunity of residence" and 3 years fo "violating the law of firearms". 

 

'WE WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THIS CASE'

 

Requesting to be tried the murderer Onur Gencer and the power behind him, Poyraz said: "Only Gencer's being imprisoned and sentenced did not change anything. As Deniz's family, we will continue to pursue this case as long as we live, and that they will continue to fight until all those responsible are held accountable."

 

MA / Delal Akyüz