Prosecutor seeks life sentence for police officer who shot Syrian refugee dead

The prosecutor has announced its opinion as to the accusations in the case concerning the killing of Syrian refugee Ali Hemdan, demanding a life sentence for police officer F.K.

Hemdan, an 18-year-old textile worker, was shot dead while he went out during a coronavirus curfew to go to work on April 28, 2020.

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Remanded in custody after the killing, the officer attended the hearing at the Adana 9th Heavy Penal Court via videoconference.

Responding to a request that the court board made in the previous hearing, the Adana Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital sent a report, which confirms the defendant has criminal responsibility.

The officer reiterated that he was repentant and he did not intend to kill the man but to shoot in the air. He demanded his acquittal.

The attorney of Hemdan's family, Rıdvan Şahin, said that the defendant should be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment because of his duty as a public official.

Presenting their opinion as to the accusations, the prosecutor demanded life imprisonment for the prisoner for "willful murder."

The next hearing will take place on December 21. (AS/VK)