The sixth hearing in the case concerning environmental defender Reşit Kibar, who was killed in an armed attack on 3 September 2024 while resisting tree cutting in the Cankurtaran area of Borçka, Artvin, was held at Artvin High Criminal Court. The court ordered the continued detention of Muhammet Ustabaş, who shot Kibar. It rejected requests by the Kibar family’s lawyers to arrest defendant Fikret Merttürk, who was not in detention, and to file criminal complaints against company owners Yunus and Eşref Merttürk. Borçka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Eşref Merttürk was heard as a witness. CHP Chair Özgür Özel also attended the hearing. The court adjourned the case until 22 January 2027.
2 October 2026
BirGün