25.04.2025 20:13
In the fourth hearing of the Newborn Gang case, the detained defendant Fırat Sarı, who is accused of being the leader of the organization, stated in his defense, "We are referred to as baby killers. We worked for the sake of healing patients." The trial has been postponed to Monday, April 28.
The trial, known to the public as the 'Newborn Gang' case, in which 58 defendants, 29 of whom are detained, are accused of transferring baby patients to private hospitals' neonatal units they had previously agreed upon, leading to their deaths and unjust profits, continued with the testimonies of witnesses during its fourth hearing.
FIRAT SARI: EVERYONE PASSING IN FRONT OF THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT IS SUING ME
During the hearing, detained defendant Fırat Sarı, who is accused of being the leader of the organization, made a defense regarding the prosecutor's request.
Sarı stated in his defense, "There have been perceptions about this case from the beginning. Zengin called us and our friends 'parasites, bugs,' and belittled us. The friends here are successful healthcare workers. We are referred to as baby killers. We worked for the sake of healing patients. I worked late at night. The Ministry of Health's report has been prepared carelessly. You can see the media's perception as well. I have cared for nearly 15,000 to 20,000 intensive care patients. Now, everyone passing in front of the intensive care unit is suing me. I do not know Mustafa Kemal Zengin. I have had no relations with such criminal individuals. I also do not understand why he visited the prosecutor in such a case. This matter should be investigated.
I went to the prosecutor before Mustafa Kemal Zengin. The prosecutor was not someone to be afraid of. The prosecutor told me, 'The hospital owners are at fault. Will you give me a hospital owner? I do not hold you responsible for the deaths.' Someone who wants to close the case would not behave like this. I think Mustafa Kemal Zengin's initiative was against the prosecutor. This led to our criminalization, and they called Mustafa Kemal and Fırat Sarı a gang. I also want the explanation of the alleged midnight message sent by the prosecutor." he said.
"THE OPARA BABY DID NOT HAVE SGK"
Speaking about the death of the Opara baby, Sarı said, "It was said that admitting a 6-month-old baby to the neonatal intensive care unit was a crime; there is no such thing. SGK states that babies over 28 days should be admitted to adult intensive care; this is related to payments. However, this baby did not have SGK at all. There was no issue with the admission. I did not see that patient; I was only told over the phone that such a patient was admitted. The media is creating unnecessary perceptions." he said.
"I AM EVEN WILLING TO BE UNDER HOUSE ARREST"
Detained defendant Senanur Ünlü, who made a defense during the hearing, said, "I just gave birth. I have been detained for 5 months. They call me a member of the organization, but I learned what the organization is here. It was said that they are laundering money, but my house is even rented. I have a 1.5-year-old child. How can I do such a thing? My milk has not even dried up. How can I inflict this pain on another mother? I want my acquittal. I am even willing to be under house arrest as long as my child is with me." she said.
TENSION ARISES AMONG DEFENDANTS' RELATIVES
Detained defendant Tuğçe Toptemel stated, "I do not accept the statements of Hakan Doğukan Taşçı. The experiences of the Opara baby are already recorded in the tapes. I am the only one detained among the nurses for negligence, but I do not know what negligence this is." After Toptemel's words, an audience member, alleged to be a relative of Doğukan Taşçı, said, 'You know.'
Following this, a verbal argument occurred between Toptemel's mother and Taşçı's relative. After the argument, the relatives of the defendants were removed from the courtroom.
THE HEARING WAS ADJOURNED
The court panel adjourned the hearing to April 28, Monday, at 10:00 AM to listen to the defendants' lawyers.