18.08.2026 16:50
In Mersin, aggravated life imprisonment was sought twice for Ömer C.Ç., who killed his sister-in-law and her mother with a gun after an argument. The defendant claimed that his sister-in-law attacked him with a knife, saying, 'I fired in self-defense and under the influence of alcohol,' while the 8-year-old child present at the scene stated, 'My uncle shot my mother and my grandmother.'
In Mersin, a request was made for two aggravated life sentences for Ömer C.Ç., who is accused of killing his sister-in-law Aygül Çınar and her mother Türkan Söylemez with a gun. At the first hearing, the defendant accepted the charge and claimed that the incident occurred during an argument.
The incident took place on July 26 last year in Gündoğdu Neighborhood, Akdeniz district. According to the allegations, Ömer C. Ç. shot his sister-in-law Aygül Çınar (25) and her mother Türkan Söylemez (53) with a pistol and then fled the scene. Teams arriving at the house upon the report determined that Türkan Söylemez had died. Aygül Çınar, who was seriously injured, could not be saved at the hospital where she was taken.
CAUGHT WHILE PREPARING TO FLEE
Following the murders, the Homicide Bureau teams launched an investigation and determined that the suspect was preparing to flee abroad and was hiding in a house in Viranşehir Neighborhood, Mezitli district. In an operation carried out at dawn with the support of special operations teams and drones, the suspect and 3 people allegedly helping him were taken into custody. During the search of the house, the weapon used in the incident and a quantity of drugs were seized.
Among the suspects referred to the courthouse, Ömer C. Ç. and A.K. were arrested, while the other 2 suspects were released under judicial supervision.
TWO AGGRAVATED LIFE SENTENCES REQUESTED
In the indictment accepted by the 5th Heavy Penal Court of Mersin Courthouse, a case was filed against the defendant for the offenses of 'premeditated murder of a woman', 'purchasing, carrying, or possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition' and 'engaging in drug or stimulant trafficking or supplying'. The indictment requested two aggravated life sentences for the defendant.
The indictment stated that the defendant obtained a weapon before the incident, went to the victims' home, waited for a while for the taxi that dropped him off to pick him up again, and killed the mother and daughter in front of their children.
"I FIRED IN SELF-DEFENSE"
In his defense at the first hearing of the case, Ömer C. Ç. said that he was in prison for a drug offense before the incident and obtained a weapon after his release. Claiming that there had been no previous threats between him and his sister-in-law, the defendant alleged that he went to the house on the day of the incident to talk about not using drugs and to see his nephew.
The defendant claimed that his sister-in-law attacked him with a knife, saying, "I fired in self-defense and under the influence of alcohol."
8-YEAR-OLD CHILD HEARD AS WITNESS
The 8-year-old child E.E.Ç., who was at home during the incident, testified that after his uncle arrived, he drank coffee with his mother and grandmother, then an argument broke out, and his uncle shot both women with a gun. The child said, "My uncle shot my mother and grandmother."
After listening to the lawyers of the parties, the court panel adjourned the hearing to complete the deficiencies and hear other witnesses. It was decided to continue the defendant's remand in custody.