24.06.2025 16:11
In Ankara, the 1.5-year-old baby of Zeynep and Ünal Adıgüzel, Melek Adıgüzel, passed away on May 18 of last year. Forensic medicine determined that baby Melek died as a result of internal bleeding. A year after the incident, the Adıgüzel couple was arrested, and during her statement, the mother said that her husband had constantly beaten Melek.
The youngest of Zeynep and Ünal Adıgüzel's five children, 1.5-year-old Melek Adıgüzel, passed away on May 18 last year at a hospital where her family took her. Following the suspicious circumstances surrounding the baby's death, an investigation was initiated, and the Adıgüzel couple was taken into custody and later released by the magistrate court on charges of 'violation of obligations arising from family law.'
THEY WERE ARRESTED 1 YEAR AFTER THE INCIDENT
In the forensic report dated July 22, 2024, it was stated that Melek Adıgüzel died due to internal organ damage caused by blunt abdominal trauma, resulting in internal bleeding. After the forensic report was included in the investigation file, the couple was taken into custody again. The Adıgüzel couple was arrested on charges of 'causing death by intentional injury' at the magistrate court where they were brought 10 days ago on June 13.
"MY HUSBAND HIT HER; I COULDN'T STOP HIM"
Mother Zeynep Adıgüzel stated in her testimony at the police station that their house was demolished due to urban transformation, and therefore they started living with her brother and their children. She said, "My husband was staying with my brother B. A. However, he would constantly come and go to our place. My husband would hit our baby Melek Adıgüzel, who was 1.5 years old and died on the day of the incident. My husband was angry because our house was being demolished and we were going to my brother's house. For this reason, he hit and assaulted our deceased baby Melek on her head, shoulders, back, and waist. However, I couldn't stop him in any way. Because I didn't have the strength to stop him. This violence against Melek would happen from time to time; however, I did not witness him throwing our baby onto the floors or sofas. But he would hit her. I saw this with my own eyes because he did it in my presence. I absolutely did not hit, strike, or assault my baby. I did not throw her, drop her, or throw her in any way. Shortly before the day my daughter died, my husband and I were washing our baby in the bathroom and cutting her hair when my husband hit her on the head with his hand. Even my brother and his wife witnessed this incident. I was only holding my daughter for her to be washed. I definitely did not hit her. Afterwards, my husband took the child outside. When I went out, the child was crying. When I asked, 'What did you do, did you hit her?' he said nothing. However, when I looked at my child's body, I saw bruises. I absolutely do not accept the accusation," she said.
"HE COULDN'T TOLERATE HER CRYING"
Zeynep Adıgüzel also stated in her testimony to the prosecutor, "Melek was a bit of a fussy child, she cried a lot; my husband Ünal couldn't tolerate it. And he would hit Melek hard on her head, waist, shoulders, legs, and various parts of her body with his hands. On the day Melek died, I left the house around noon to look for a new home, putting Melek to sleep. My phone was left charging. After staying outside for 1 hour, we returned to my brother's house around 1:30 PM, and Melek was not at home. My brother's wife said that Melek had fallen ill and that my brother had taken her to the hospital. We went to the hospital as well. The doctor came and said that Melek's heart had stopped. As I said before, I did not know the cause of death. I thought Melek died due to vomiting and diarrhea. We can take care of our children," she said.
SHE FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST HER HUSBAND
Zeynep Adıgüzel, who also stated in her testimony that she was 6 months pregnant, indicated that she had filed a complaint against her husband. Ünal Adıgüzel denied the accusations, stating that he did not know why his wife was accusing him. Zeynep Adıgüzel's lawyer, Mete Şahin, argued that his client did not participate in the crime, stating, "Since she is pregnant, we request her unconditional release. I also request that their children be placed under state protection." The investigation is ongoing.