Accused killer of Leeds fans gets bail
A Turkish court has ordered the release of the man accused of the fatal stabbings of two Leeds United soccer fans nearly five years ago, his lawyer said today.
Ozkan Ozmen said the court agreed to bail Ali Umit Demir pending his retrial because of recent changes in Turkish law passed as part of Turkey’s bid to join the EU.
He said Demir’s release was expected later today.
In 2002, Demir was sentenced to 15 years in prison for stabbing Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in April 2000.
The killings took place during street clashes in Istanbul before Leeds played Galatasaray in a UEFA Cup semi-final.
An Appeals Court in June 2003 overturned that double-murder conviction, saying Demir’s knife had the blood of Speight but not necessarily that of Loftus.
Demir is due back in court on February 9.
