Prosecutor objects to defendant’s release in ‘Leyla Aydemir murder’ case

* Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)

Click to read the article in Turkish

The Public Prosecutor's Office of the Erzurum Regional Court of Justice has appealed against the ruling of release given for paternal uncle Yusuf Aydemir, who was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment over the death of 4-year-old Leyla Aydemir in Turkey's eastern province of Ağrı.

CLICK - Paternal uncle given aggravated life sentence

Yusuf Aydemir was given an aggravated life sentence on charge of "wilful killing" by the Ağrı 1st Heavy Penal Court. Examining the case, the upper court has ruled that he shall be released from prison.

In response to this ruling, the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Erzurum Regional Court of Justice has sent a petition to the 1st Penal Chamber of the Erzurum Regional Court of Justice and objected to his release.

The petition of the office has noted that the ruling of release given for defendant Aydemir is against the law and due process of law. The office has noted that there has long been hostility between Aydemir and the father of the victim and it is understood from the statements of anonymous witnesses as well as from the statements of parties and witnesses in the file.

Indicating that the statements of witnesses and anonymous witnesses overlap, the prosecutor's office has argued it has been been understood that the victim was abducted and killed by the defendant.

The petition has also noted that when the developments that unfolded in the village after the victim got missing are considered, there is sufficient evidence for the defendant's conviction of the offense charged.

Indicating that "the defendant might exert pressure on the witnesses and spoil evidence," the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Erzurum Regional Court of Justice has demanded that the ruling be reversed in line with its appeal and the appeal be referred to the 2nd Chamber of the Erzurum Regional Court of Justice in the event of rejection by the 1st Chamber.

What happened?

The final hearing of the lawsuit filed into the death of Leyla Aydemir (4) in Ağrı was held at the Ağrı 1st Heavy Penal Court on October 2, 2020.

Gone missing in the village of Bezirhane (Bezirgane) on June 15, 2018, Leyla Aydemir's deceased body was found 18 days later. Yusuf Aydemir, the paternal uncle of the girl, was arrested pending trial.

Handing down its judgement, the court board ruled that Yusuf Aydemir should be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on charge of "wilful murder" without any sentence reductions or good conduct time.

The board also ruled that all other defendants who were not arrested should be acquitted of the offense charged. (AÖ/SD)