Yunus Bekdemir was the former founder of Canik Başarı (Success or Achievement) University and arrested for “membership of an armed terrorist organization” and “opposition to the law on the prevention of financing of terrorism” on September 23, 2016. His university was closed as one of the 15 universities that were closed after the failed coup. At the Samsun 3rd Peace Court of Criminal Jurisdiction Bekdemir stated (translated from the original Turkish):
In April 2017, the Samsun 2nd Heavy Penal Court and higher courts maintained his indictment. His objection was overruled by the Samsun 3rd Heavy Penal Court in October 2017. His objection then went to the Constitutional Court of Turkey where contradictory, vague evidence suggesting that police officers were feeding witnesses information, was provided at the hearing, including claims that he smuggled gold. “For the reason that the suspect may influence the witnesses heard for this case,” his detention has been sustained. The public prosecutor wanted to prosecute him for “membership to a detrimental organization”.
In February 2018, the Registrar’s Office at Samsun 3rd Heavy Penal Court handed him a report saying that he used Bylock, despite the fact that “a person named Yunus Bekdemir had no record in the Bylock query module”. Going beyond typical sentences, he was to be prosecuted for a prison sentence of 8 years and 9 months.
In March 2018, he submitted a written defense to the Appellate Court. In July 2018, the Constitutional Court of Turkey overruled his objections. Bekdemir suspects he is being prosecuted because of his academic position.
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