19.03.2025 16:20
The trial regarding the assault on stadium director Ali Çelikkıran after the Fenerbahçe-Galatasaray derby last season continued. Mert Hakan Yandaş from the yellow-navy team appeared before the judge as a "defendant" and stated that the red-yellow team was creating a perception, adding that he pushed Çelikkıran reflexively. Additionally, the court judge warned Mert Hakan to correct his posture during the proceedings.
```html
Mert Hakan Yandaş, one of the captains of Fenerbahçe, appeared before the judge as a suspect due to the incidents that occurred after the derby played against Galatasaray at RAMS Park on May 19, 2024, in the second half of last season.
UP TO 6 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS IN PRISON IS REQUESTED
After the major match, which Fenerbahçe won 1-0, the stadium manager Ali Çelikkıran was assaulted during the ensuing scuffle. In the indictment related to the incident, prison sentences of up to 6 years and 9 months were requested for Yandaş, his teammate Jaden Oosterwolde, Fenerbahçe Club Doctor Ertuğrul Karanlık, former Fenerbahçe executive Hulusi Belgü, and the son of the then head coach İsmail Kartal, Emre Kartal.
"I PUSHED AS A REFLEX"
The trial began at the Istanbul Criminal Court. Mert Hakan Yandaş also appeared before the judge to make his defense. According to a report by Sabah; stating that his monthly income was 110,000 TL, Yandaş defended himself with the words, "We left the match with our heads held high that day. The other side misinterpreted as always. I wanted to go out to greet our fans at first. Two or three people blocked my way. I went back inside and came out to the field with police escort to celebrate our joy, but the stadium manager tried to block me. I pushed him as a reflex."
THE JUDGE SCOLDED MERT HAKAN
On the other hand, the court judge warned Yandaş about his posture while giving his testimony and asked him to correct it. Additionally, tense moments similar to those in the derby were experienced among the lawyers of the fans in the courtroom.
EMRE KARTAL: "MY LIFE CHANGED AFTER THE TRABZONSPOR MATCH"
One of the defendants, Emre Kartal, stated, "We took a photo with our flag. Then a person in civilian clothes came towards us and attacked our flag. My life changed a lot after the Trabzonspor match. I remember pushing back reflexively against the attack on us. A lot of time has passed, so I don't remember everything," as he made his defense.
THE TRIAL WAS POSTPONED TO MAY
After the testimonies of the defendants present in court, witnesses were also heard. The hearing was postponed to May for the defendants who had not yet testified to give their statements in the next session.
```