Man Sentenced to 13 Years, 6 Months in Prison over Acid Attack on Woman

*"We won't lose one more woman."

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A man has been sentenced to 13 years and 6 months prison for carrying out an acid attack on a 19-year-old woman in the southern Hatay province.

Defendant Ozan Çelik has been remanded in custody at Osmaniye No. 1 Type-T Closed Prison and was facing life imprisonment for "attempted premeditated murder." He attended the hearing via Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

Family of Berfin Özek, the attacked woman, attorneys of both sides, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) MP Suzan Şahin and representatives of some women's organizations were also present at the courtroom.

Speaking at the hearing, Özek said, "I want him to receive the heaviest sentence, to suffer the pain we suffered."

"Didn't you ever think about how I would agonize? How ruthless and unconscientious you are," she said, addressing the defendant.

Özek lost her right eye and parts of her face and chest were burned in the acid attack.

Özek's attorney Mehtap Sert said the defendant premeditated the attack and "smartly" executed it, stressing that he also threw acid on the woman's chest, damaging her mammary glands.

Fadi Tekin, the attorney of the defendant, said the incident was "gut-wrenching and grieving." He requested the court to release his client, considering the amount of time he served behind bars.

The court sentenced Çelik to 12 years and 18 months in prison for "deliberate injury."

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, attorney Sert said the trial did not end as they wanted. Stressing that the assailant used a liter and a half of acid, she said considering this as "deliberate injury" is against law and conscience. The plaintiff-side requested the defendant be sentenced for "attempted premeditated murder."

Özek also spoke to reporters after the hearing, saying, "This was not the verdict we wanted. This cannot be the retribution for the pain I suffered."

What happened?

On January 15, 2019, when Berfin Özek was going home from the preparatory school in İskenderun, Hatay, Casim Çelik Özcan threw acid derivative liquid on her and ran away.

Özek was taken to a hospital and received treatment for a long time. She lost one eye and has visual impairment in her other eye. Her face and chest were also partly burned.

Berfin has not been fully recovered despite going through a series of surgeries. (EMK/VK)