The hearing in the Newborn Gang case has been postponed due to an appeal.

The second hearing of the case in which 47 defendants are being tried for unlawfully profiting by transferring newborn babies to the neonatal units of contracted private hospitals in Istanbul and causing their deaths through negligent behavior was held.

The hearing took place in the conference hall due to the insufficient capacity of the Bakırköy Courthouse's 22nd Heavy Penal Court. At 10:35, 26 detained defendants, including Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen, along with 21 non-detained defendants and their lawyers were present at the hearing. Some non-detained defendants participated in the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

REQUEST FOR THE PROSECUTOR TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CASE

During the hearing, moments were highlighted when the lawyer of detained defendant İlker Gönen stated that the hearing prosecutor and the investigation prosecutor took a photo and shared it on social media. Gönen's lawyer Aydın Mantar said, "We request the withdrawal from the case due to the photo taken by Prosecutor Kadir Kocakaya on social media." In response, Prosecutor Kadir Kocakaya told Mantar, "The investigation prosecutor is my classmate. Of course, we can meet. There is no point in portraying our meeting outside the hearing as sensational. There is no ruling for withdrawal. If you think I am not performing my duty properly, you can go to the HSK."

REQUEST DENIED

Due to the defense lawyers' request for the recusal of the judge, a 30-minute break was given to evaluate the requests. The 22nd Heavy Penal Court, which is handling the newborn case, examined the request and announced its decision after the break. The court president announced that the request of the defense lawyers was denied on the grounds that it aimed to prolong the hearing.

ANOTHER 15-MINUTE BREAK WAS GIVEN

Discussions continued between the court panel and the defense lawyers regarding the request for recusal. The defense lawyers stated that witness statements could not be taken until a decision was made by the 23rd Heavy Penal Court, which would examine the recusal request. After the ongoing discussions between the court panel and the defense lawyers, another 15-minute break was given to the hearing.

HEARING ADJOURNED

The hearing resumed after the 15-minute break. The court panel and the defendants took their places. The court president announced, "It has been considered necessary," stating that the hearing was adjourned for the examination of the recusal request. The file will be sent to the 23rd Heavy Penal Court.

The hearing prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention status of all detained defendants on behalf of the public.