The trial of İlhan Çomak, who was arrested on charges of "separatism" while studying at Geography Department of Istanbul University in 1994, resumed at Istanbul 14. High Criminal Court yesterday.

While Çomak attended the hearing via SEGBİS system from prison, his lawyers were present in the hearing room. Çomak stated that he would share his lawyers' statements.

While lawyer Several Ballıkaya spoke out about the accusations directed to Çomak and the torture he has long been subject to, lawyer Fırat Aydınkaya told the court bord that they did not execute a fair trial.

Lawyer Hüseyin Boğatekin referred to the independence and impartiality principles of courts, saying: "The situaton of your court is shady and not independent. We do know that the court president and members are not impartial."

Lawyer Sinan Zincir, co-chair of Libertarian Lawyers' Association (ÖHD) Istanbul branch, also asked to speak but was rejected by the court president who stated that the defence was restricted with three lawyers. Zincir therewith reacted to the court decision, saying: "You are executing a colonial law and you cannot manage the case. Get your hands off the case."

Asked for his last words, İlhan Çomak stated that he will not say anything because the court did not make a fair trial.