Defendant given aggravated life sentence for killing Merve Kotan

* Photo: Social media account of "We will stop femincides" platform

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Standing trial for killing Merve Kotan, defendant Muhammet G. had his final hearing at the Aydın 1st Heavy Penal Court yesterday (June 18).

CLICK - 'We want justice for Merve Kotan'

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The hearing was attended by attorneys as well as several women's rights defenders. Considering the criminal evidence against the defendant, the court has ruled that Muhammet G. shall be sentenced to life imprisonment aggravated for two times on charge of "premeditated murder."

His prison term has not been reduced.

'Reduced sentences lead to new murders'

Aydın Women Assembly made a statement for the press in front of the courthouse before the hearing. Carrying a banner that read "We want justice for Merve Kotan," women chanted the slogans, "Long live women's solidarity" and "You will never walk alone."

Their statement briefly read as follows:

"While we demand justice for Merve, what encourages the perpetrator and his relatives to act like this is a failure to fully enforce the laws.

"Nothing can be an excuse for killing a woman. Those who reduce the sentences of perpetrators based on their supposed excuses and those who do not efficiently enforce the Law no. 6284 on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence against Women and İstanbul Convention prepare the ground for an increase in feminicides."

What happened?

Muhammet G. opened fire on Ekim Türkmen and Merve Kotan with a pump rifle at Nevzat Biçer Park in Aydın province on August 15, 2019. Türkmen and Kotan lost their lives at the scene of incident. Taken into custody, Muhammet G. was arrested by the court.

In his first hearing, Muhammet G. claimed that Ekim and Merve were in a relationship and said that "it was an honor killing." (EMK/SD)