First heard were the statements of the printer who had printed A Guide for Youth and the police, then Bediuzzaman's objections to the Experts Report. The defence lawyers criticized it in severe terms and at length. Then, on Bediuzzaman requesting permission to perform the afternoon prayers as the time was growing short, the Court was adjourned till 5 March. He left amid cheers and applause and was driven to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

When it came to 5 March the police were out in force to prevent crowds forming in the court building. Nevertheless the court was packed to hear first Muhsin Alev, the student who had had the work printed, then the defence speeches of first Bediuzzaman, then his three lawyers.

Once again Bediuzzaman pointed out that what he was, and had been, accused of principally was "opposing the regime", but on condition public order was not disturbed in any way, to do so could not be considered a crime. On the contrary, to oppose wrong, oppression, and unlawfulness was licit and a genuine element of justice. Secondly was the charge of disturbing public security, but six courts and in six provinces having been unable to produce any evidence for this proved that Nurju's — Risale-i Nur Students — were preservers of the peace. As for exploiting religion for political ends, again the courts had cleared him of this and to accuse someone of over eighty years of age who was "at the door of the grave" and owned nothing in the world was entirely unjust and wrong. Bediuzzaman concluded his speech by saying:

Respected judges, for twenty-eight years they have oppressed and wronged me and my students in this way. The prosecutors in the courts did not hold back from insulting us. We met it all with patience and continued on the way of serving belief and the Qur'an. We forgave the officials of the former regime for their tyranny and oppression, for they met the end they deserved, while we gained our rights and our freedom. We thank Almighty God for giving us this opportunity to speak these words before just and believing judges like yourselves. [^24]

[^24]:Tarihçe, 575; Eşref Edip, Said Nursi, 125-130; Nursi, Emirdağ Lahikası, ii, 127-8.

Bediuzzaman's three lawyers then presented their defences [^25] and the judges withdrew to deliberate. Their unanimous decision was announced; once again, acquittal. The announcement met with resounding applause from Bediuzzaman's students and the spectators. [^26] In later years the chief judge of the case said of that day:

[^25]:Eşref Edip, Said Nursi, 130-152.

[^26]:Tarihçe, 583.