Medeni Yıldırım case ends in acquittal again

* Photo: MA

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In the retrial over the death of Medeni Yıldırım, the 10th hearing was held at the Diyarbakır 7th Heavy Penal Court today (July 8).

The court announced its ruling and Adem Çiftçi, who was on trial for "killing with eventual intent", has been acquitted for the second time.

18-year-old Medeni Yıldırım was among a group of people protesting the construction of a high-security military outpost in Hezan-Kayacık area in Lice, Diyarbakır on June 28, 2013. He lost his life by the fire opened by soldiers. In the trial over his killing, Adem Çiftçi, who was doing his mandatory military service at the time, was the only defendant. In his trial for "killing with eventual intent", he was exempted from attending the hearings.

Pronouncing its judgement at the hearing held today, the court board has ruled for the acquittal of Çiftçi for the second time.

The ruling of acquittal previously given by the 7th Heavy Penal Court was overturned by the appeals court in 2018 and a retrial was held.

'Yet another ring to the chain of impunity'

Making a statement on their Twitter account, the Yıldırım family has protested the ruling given in the trial over Medeni Yıldırım's killing after eight years. They have said that with this court ruling, "yet another ring has been added to the chain of impunity going on in this land for years."

"While this murder was committed before the eyes of everyone, evidence was not collected and perpetrators were not desired to be found; as a result of this, a second ruling of acquittal has been given for the defendant. His murderers have gone unpunished," they have said, underlining that justice has not been served in the trial over Medeni Yıldırım's killing.

What happened?

Medeni Yıldırım (18) was among a group of people who were protesting the construction of a high-security military outpost in Hezan-Kayacık area in Lice, Diyarbakır on June 28, 2013.

After soldiers opened fire against the crowd, who had a banner that read, "We want peace," Medeni Yıldırım died and eight others were wounded.

Footage that shows Yıldırım was shot emerged in May 2014. An examination was carried out at the scene of the incident about two years after the killing. A lawsuit could be filed in September 2015.

The indictment written by Public Prosecutor Tunus Ferhat Sorgut said Yıldırım was watching people who were throwing rocks at the outpost. The prosecutor charged suspect A.Ç. with "causing the death of Yıldırım with eventual intention by opening fire under unjust provocation."

A.Ç. said in his defense statement that he was at the guard tower during the incident and that he locked and loaded his "Bixi" weapon but did not open fire. He pleaded not guilty.

A.Ç. was acquitted in the case. After the Court of Cassation reversed the judgment, a retrial was underway. (AS/SD)