30.08.2025 09:20
A new development has occurred in the case of 4-year-old Leyla Aydemir, whose lifeless body was found 18 days after she went missing in Ağrı in 2018. The Court of Cassation overturned the acquittal decisions for 7 defendants, including her uncle Yusuf Aydemir. The case lawyer, Erdoğan Tunç, stated that if the audio recordings are included in the case file, the defendants could face penalties, and there may be requests for the arrest of some AFAD members.
```html
A new development has occurred in the case of 4-year-old Leyla Aydemir, whose lifeless body was found 18 days after she went missing in the Bezirhane village of Ağrı in 2018. The Supreme Court's 1st Criminal Chamber overturned the acquittal decisions for 7 defendants, including the girl's uncle, Yusuf Aydemir.
FIRST HEARING ON JANUARY 16
The case lawyer, Erdoğan Tunç, announced that the hearing date has been set. He stated that the first session will be held on January 16, 2026, at the Ağrı 1st High Criminal Court, adding, "If these records are included in the file, it may be possible for the defendants to be convicted."
AUDIO RECORDINGS SENT TO FORENSICS
Tunç noted that the audio recordings included in the case file have been sent for forensic examination, and after confirming the authenticity of the recordings, a voice comparison will be conducted. It was recorded that AFAD teams would take sample audio recordings for the examination to be carried out in this context.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST AFAD TEAMS
Lawyer Tunç also announced that they have filed a separate criminal complaint outside of the ongoing case. He stated that an investigation has been opened against the AFAD teams as "suspects," mentioning that allegations of "closeness or bribery" have arisen between them and family members.
Tunç said, "No concrete closeness has been identified, but there are suspicions of attempts to cover up the case. The possibility of money being given is being investigated," and expressed that a request for the arrest of some AFAD members may come within the next two to three months.
WHAT HAPPENED?
4-year-old Leyla Aydemir, who went missing on June 15, 2018, while visiting her grandfather with her family in Bezirhane village for the Ramadan holiday, was found 18 days later, her lifeless body discovered among the trees by a stream, 2 kilometers from the village and near the road leading to the city center. The child's body, which showed no signs of trauma or injury, was buried in Bezirhane village.
Following the incident, a case was opened against 7 defendants regarding the death of little Leyla at the Ağrı 1st High Criminal Court. In the verdict hearing held on October 2, 2020, at this court, the detained defendant uncle Yusuf A. was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for "intentional murder" and 4 years in prison for "deprivation of liberty by force and deceit," while the other defendants Y.A, B.D, H.D, M.A, M.A.A, and A.A. were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
BAM OVERTURNED THE LOCAL COURT'S DECISION
The Erzurum Regional Court of Appeals 1st Criminal Chamber, which reviewed the case, indicated that there must be evidence free of any doubt to convict the defendant and pointed out various procedural deficiencies, thus overturning the local court's decision for all defendants. The court, which overturned the local court's decision on both substantive and procedural grounds, also ordered the release of Yusuf A.
The objection made by the Erzurum Regional Court of Appeals Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on January 4, 2021, against this decision was also rejected by the Regional Court of Appeals 1st Criminal Chamber. The Presidents' Council of the Erzurum Regional Court of Appeals, which reviewed the case, found the decision of the 1st Criminal Chamber to be in accordance with the law.
Following the overturning decision, all defendants were acquitted due to lack of evidence in the retrial held by the Ağrı 1st High Criminal Court on October 8, 2021.
The file examined upon objection was found to be in accordance with the law by the Erzurum Regional Court of Appeals 1st Criminal Chamber.
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Supreme Court requested the annulment of the acquittal decision given for the 7 defendants who were retried, deeming it unlawful.
```