ANKARA – In the case where 3 fugitive defendants were tried regarding the Sivas Massacre, the court decided to drop the case due to prescriptions.

30 years have passed since 33 people were burned to death at the Madımak Hotel in Sivas on July 2, 1993. For this reason, there was intense participation in the hearing held today at the Ankara 1st High Criminal Court against the fugitive defendants of the massacre, Murat Sonkur, Eren Ceylan and Murat Karakaş. Families who lost their relatives in the massacre, Alevi associations, non-governmental organizations, artists; Labor Party Gaziantep MP Sevda Karaca, Green Left Party Co-Spokesperson Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, Diyarbakır MP Sevilay Çelenk, Istanbul MP Celal Fırat, CHP MP Ali Mahir Başkar, Gökçe Gökçen, Orhan Sarıbal, Veli Ağbaba, Ulaş Karasu and many citizens attended.

'I AM BOTH THE LAWYER AND THE WITNESS OF THE CASE'

Speaking at the hearing, which started with the defense of the lawyers, Lawyer Şenal Sarıhan said: “Many committees have changed over the years since we examined the case. I am the witness and lawyer of this case and I am trying to evaluate every stage in detail. We have recently learned that these three defendants are fugitives and as of 2019, the number of 3 defendants has been counted. All of our hearts are shaking right now. Why are they trying to drop this case due to prescription? Families have been asking for justice for 30 years. If peace and brotherhood are to be achieved in this country, we have only one tool and that is justice. We have a new request for the extradition of these defendants. There are thousands of pieces of evidence in the file for these fugitive witnesses to be heard. Let's communicate with the German government again regarding the extradition of the 3 defendants. These people took them abroad in an organized manner. These were done in a planned and organized manner. History has a mirror. We will continue to see the truth one day. Despite everything, we want the court to look at its conscience first."

THE PROSECUTOR WANTED THE CASE TO BE DROPPED

Explaining his opinion on the merits, the hearing prosecutor stated that the 30-year statute of limitations had expired, that being in a fugitive situation could not stop the statute of limitations, and therefore requested that the case be dropped. Citizens watching condemned the prosecutor.

THE CASE HAS BEEN DROPPED DUE TO PRESCRIPTION

While the panel was about to make its decision, the police tried to enter the courtroom. The crowd condemned the situation by turning to the delegation and saying "go catch the murderers" and the police were removed from the hall.

The court decided to drop the case due to prescription.