Sadullah Ovacikli (44), an ex-prosecutor from Turkey who alleges he is facing a lengthy imprisonment following the 2016 coup attempt in his home country, has been detained after being arrested at Dublin Airport for violating immigration legislations. The former government prosecutor, currently without a confirmed Irish address, was apprehended post arrival at Terminal 1, on Wednesday, and subsequently imposed with two charges.
Before Judge Paula Murphy in the Dublin District Court, Mr Ovacikli was accused of failure to carry a valid passport or any similar identification document verifying his identity and nationality, as well as not presenting a passport when demanded. According to Garda Christopher Glennon, Mr Ovacikli did not respond when charged and bail was objected due to concerns about a possibility of him fleeing. It was also highlighted that Mr Ovacikli lacked connections to the State or possession of any identification documents.
However, the defendant stayed silent in court and is yet to plea. His defence attorney, Kevin McCrave, stated that Mr Ovacikli agreed to custody and planned to apply for bail at a later time. Mr McCrave mentioned consulting with Mr Ovacikli pre-court appearance proved tough and successfully acquired permission for an interpreter’s assistance for the future proceedings. He further appealed to the judge to consider his client’s vulnerabilities due to prior background.
It was revealed that the defendant had to abscond subsequent to serving as a government prosecutor in Turkey until the 2016 coup attempt. He has been sentenced for supposed involvement in the same, a sentence which has been recently ratified. Mr McCrave requested this to be deliberated by the prison authorities. Meanwhile, emphasising the “potential safety concerns”, the judge instructed the remand prison governor of them.
Upon violating the Immigration Act, a penalty of a year-long imprisonment and a maximum fine of €3,000 are typically levied. Judge Murphy ordered to keep him under custody to reappear the proceeding week, for bail application, to enter a plea, or for a later hearing date, depending on whether he planned to challenge the charge. Legal aid was also granted.