In the shoulder-pushing murder case, three siblings were sentenced to 15 years in prison each.

04.02.2025 00:21

In Izmir, a fight that started with a "shoulder bumping" dispute and ended with the stabbing death of Semih Kenan Köse has resulted in a verdict for three defendants. In the case related to the incident in which Köse's girlfriend, Sibel Kabadayı, was also injured, defendants Sercan Bavkır and his brothers Serkan and Taylan Bavkır were each sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On October 16, 2023, around 19:30, in Ahmet Besim Uysal Street, Altıntaş Neighborhood of Urla district in İzmir, Sercan Bavkır (34), who works as a real estate agent and owns a construction company, collided shoulder to shoulder with contractor Semih Kenan Köse (30) while shopping in a market.

THE BROTHERS AND GIRLFRIEND WERE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT

The argument that started between the parties over "You bumped into me" turned into a fistfight. Sercan Bavkır's brothers, Serkan Bavkır (33) and Taylan Bavkır (27), also joined the fight. Köse broke a bottle he grabbed and swung it around. During the fight, Sercan Bavkır injured Köse and his girlfriend Sibel Kabadayı with a knife he had. Köse, who was taken to Urla State Hospital, died, while Kabadayı was discharged after treatment.

THE INCIDENT WAS CAPTURED ON CAMERA

Sercan Bavkır and his brothers Serkan Bavkır and Taylan Bavkır surrendered to the police. After the police procedures, the three brothers were arrested by the court they were brought before. The incident was also recorded by the market's security cameras. In the indictment prepared by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which was accepted by the 3rd Heavy Criminal Court, a sentence was requested for the three brothers for "intentional killing in participation," and for Köse's girlfriend Sibel Kabadayı for "insult, threat, and intentional injury."

"FIRST RELEASE, THEN ARREST"

During the trial process, Serkan and Taylan Bavkır were released under judicial control with a travel ban. In the second hearing of the case held on September 17 last year, the defendant Sercan Bavkır was released with a travel ban. However, upon the objection of the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a new detention order was issued for Bavkır, and he was arrested by the court he was brought before.

THREE JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS SUSPENDED

The Judges and Prosecutors Council (HSK) suspended the presiding judge and 2 member judges of the court that decided to release Sercan Bavkır, as well as the trial prosecutor. Subsequently, the presiding judge and 2 member judges, along with the trial prosecutor, were reinstated to their duties in other courts. The trial of the defendants continued today at the İzmir 3rd Heavy Criminal Court. The hearing was attended by the detained defendant Sercan Bavkır and the lawyers of the parties. The non-detained defendants Serkan and Taylan Bavkır, as well as Köse's girlfriend, complainant defendant Sibel Kabadayı, did not attend the hearing.

"I DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO INJURE, LET ALONE KILL"

The victim's lawyers made a defense against the opinion on the merits. The defendant Sercan Bavkır, who was given the floor, claimed that the victim's girlfriend cursed and threatened them, and said: "There was chaos, they said they were police. Other people also tried to separate the fight. They call us kickboxers, but we don't even have a certificate. I saw a taxi driver there and told him to take them away. The deceased later said, 'we're just getting started.' We never wanted the consequences of the incident to come this far. I held the knife in a closed position, thinking they would back off when they saw it. I ran towards the car saying I was going to get my weapon. Then he threw a bottle at me. My brothers and I were on edge in prison for 8 months. Forget about killing the deceased, I didn't even want to injure him. Later, we were released. Then the court board was suspended. They have their own lives too. I was detained for 17 months, I couldn't explain myself. A decision was made about us through social media."

3 CHAIRS, 9 COURT MEMBERS, AND 4 PROSECUTORS CHANGED

The defendants' lawyers stated that they did not agree with the opinion, that 6 hearings were held during the trial process, and that 3 chairs, 9 court members, and 4 prosecutors were changed. After the break in the hearing, when asked for their final words, defendant Sercan Bavkır said, "I want to reunite with my children. I request my release even under the heaviest conditions."

REDUCED FROM LIFE IMPRISONMENT TO 15 YEARS

The court board sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment for "intentional killing." The board reduced this sentence to 18 years due to the inability to determine who initiated the first unjust act, and to 15 years due to the defendant's good behavior and the possible effects on his future. The other brothers, Serkan Bavkır and Taylan Bavkır, who were tried without detention, were also sentenced to life imprisonment for committing the crime of "intentional killing." The sentences of the brothers were also reduced to 15 years due to their good behavior and possible effects on their futures. A warrant for the arrest of the non-detained defendants was also ordered.