A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Burak Akbay, the owner of Sözcü newspaper and SZC TV.

The owner of Sözcü newspaper and SZC television, Burak Akbay, who is being tried at the Istanbul 37th Heavy Penal Court, has had an arrest warrant issued due to his failure to attend hearings and provide a defense.

THE CASE INVOLVING 9 PEOPLE HAS BEEN APPEALED TO THE SUPREME COURT

The case involving Burak Akbay, along with Sözcü newspaper writers Emin Çölaşan, Necati Doğru, and former editor-in-chief Metin Yılmaz, among 9 people, which resulted in prison sentences ranging from 3 years and 6 months to 2 years and 1 month, has been appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, after reviewing the file, unanimously overturned the decisions in its assessment on November 26, 2024, and opened the way for a retrial.

"INTENTIONALLY AND WILLFULLY AIDING FETÖ"

Today, the trial in which Burak Akbay, the owner of Sözcü newspaper, and its executives are accused of "intentionally and willfully aiding FETÖ" continued at the Istanbul 37th Heavy Penal Court.

Burak Akbay's lawyer, Erdal Kılbaşoğlu, stated that Akbay could not attend the hearing due to his business commitments. Lawyer Altar Arıkan noted that the Supreme Court's 3rd Criminal Chamber's decision to overturn is a ruling that reveals that the alleged crimes in the current trial have not occurred.

AN ARREST WARRANT HAS BEEN ISSUED

In its decision following the statements, the Istanbul 37th Heavy Penal Court stated, "It has been understood that the defendant, who could not be found despite all searches and whose new address could not be determined, claimed that he would attend the hearings by presenting an excuse but did not attend the hearings and his defense has not been taken until today, therefore it is understood that the defendant is avoiding providing a defense. Thus, it was unanimously decided to issue an arrest warrant for the defendant in accordance with Article 199 of the Criminal Procedure Code." The next hearing in the case will be held on April 29.