Justice still not done as supporters prepare to perform timely tribute

So said Chief Superintendent Steve Matthews the morning after two Leeds United supporters had been murdered on the streets of Istanbul.

Such a call for restraint from West Yorkshire Police to the 800 or so fans who had travelled from Yorkshire to the Turkish capital for their club's first European semi-final in 25 years was understandable as emotions were running high following the killings of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

After the horror of the previous night when the two men had been brutally ambushed by local youths brandishing clubs and knives, the priority had to be getting everyone home safely once the now meaningless first leg tie was out of the way.

Then, so the theory went, the local police could get to work on finding the assailants and bringing them to justice.

Ten years on, however, and the well-meaning words of Chief Supt Matthews have taken on a hollow ring due to the failings of the Turkish legal system.

Justice has, quite clearly, not been served and, ahead of Monday's anniversary, appears to be as far away as ever.

Chief suspect Ali Umit Demir – one of 13 arrested on the night of the killings – remains free despite twice being convicted by the courts and forensics proving a knife belonging to him contained the blood of both victims, plus an unidentified third person.

He was initially jailed for 15 years in 2002 only for the conviction to be later quashed and a re-trial ordered.

Five years later and after interminable delays, Demir was again found guilty of fatally stabbing the two Leeds supporters but was jailed for just six years and eight months after the three judges presiding over the case insisted three mitigating factors be taken into account.

Namely, his good behaviour since the killings, more than one person being involved in the attacks and that the assailants had been provoked on the night.

Wild accusations about the behaviour of the United fans had begun circulating within hours of the deaths, including suggestions the Turkish flag had been disrespected and local women abused.

All were vehemently denied by those involved, claims that were backed up at the subsequent 2004 inquest in Leeds when a West Yorkshire Police officer on duty that night clearly stated the ambush had been planned.

Despite that, the Turkish courts refuse to accept provocation was not a factor in the violence – hence Demir's reduced sentence in 2007.

Demir's subsequent appeal – and release pending a date being set to hear his case – together with the other four Turks convicted over the killings having also been freed means the Loftus and Speight families approach the 10-year anniversary still waiting for justice.

To their immense credit, they are determined to mark April 5 this year in a positive way by raising 100,000 for Leeds charity, Candlelighters.

A host of events have been staged throughout the past 12 months, including a charity game involving United manager Simon Grayson. A fundraising dinner is also being held at Elland Road after tomorrow's game against Swindon Town.

Perhaps more pertinently for the expected 26,000 crowd, a bucket collection for the charity that helps the family of child cancer sufferers is being held before kick-off. This column fervently hopes supporters will forsake that final pre-match pint, or maybe their customary half-time pie, and instead chuck a few coins into the buckets in memory of Chris and Kevin.

The focus will then switch to the actual anniversary, which sees Leeds travel to Yeovil Town for a lunchtime kick-off that will be shown live on Sky Television.

Those travelling to Huish Park are being asked to repeat the moving tribute of 10 years ago when the visiting fans inside Ali Sami Yen Stadium turned their back on the game for two minutes, part in tribute to the two men and part in disgust at the lack of contrition shown by either the Galatasaray club or their supporters.

Not only was no minute's silence staged, but the home players failed to wear black armbands as many of those in the stands mimed sickening cut-throat gestures at the 800 Leeds fans.

The defiant response of those in the visiting seats is something that will live long in the memory, a touching tribute to two men who had done nothing more than follow their beloved football team across Europe.

A repeat from the 1,700 United fans at Yeovil on Monday in front of a live television audience would not only be a sign of respect to Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus. It will also hopefully serve as a timely reminder that there is still a long way to go before justice is finally served for one of football's blackest episodes.

In tomorrow's Yorkshire Post Richard Sutcliffe looks back to the tragic events in Istanbul and speaks to some of those involved.