27.06.2025 15:32
In Kocaeli, the defendant who strangled Rümeysa Meriç Özcan, rendered her unconscious, and threw her off a cliff with a truck was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on the grounds that he "disguised the death as an accident." The decision was met with applause in the courtroom. Rümeysa's mother wept, saying, "I am finished, but my heart feels a little relief."
In Kocaeli, a verdict has been reached in the case of the defendant who strangled Rümeysa Meriç Özcan with a rope and threw her off a cliff with a pickup truck, disguising it as an accident. The defendant, who said, "I wouldn't want even a single hair of Rümeysa to be harmed," was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. The sentence was met with applause, while Rümeysa Meriç's mother shed tears of joy, saying, "I am finished, but my heart is a little relieved."
The incident occurred on May 19 last year around 2:30 AM on Halıdere Eskiköy Street. Upon receiving a report that a pickup truck had fallen off a cliff, police and medical teams arrived at the scene and found the lifeless body of 18-year-old Rümeysa Meriç Özcan with a rope tied around her neck, 15 meters away from the vehicle. After investigations at the scene, Özcan's body was taken to the morgue for an autopsy, while police detained Tunay A. (23), Eşref K. (21), Yaser A.A. (21), Ceylan Ç. (21), and K.N.K. (17). Of the five suspects detained in connection with the incident, Tunay A. was arrested, while Eşref K., Yaser A.A., Ceylan Ç., and K.N.K. were released.
HE CHANGED HIS STATEMENT THREE TIMES
Tunay A. stated in his first statement to the police that the incident was an accident. After the investigation at the scene, the suspect was re-interrogated and confessed to committing murder. When brought before the prosecutor, Tunay A. changed his statement again, claiming the incident was an accident. The indictment prepared regarding the incident noted that Tunay A. had a blood alcohol level of 0.47 promille on the day of the incident. The suspect is facing a request for aggravated life imprisonment for "intentional murder of a woman" and a prison sentence of 2 to 7 years for "depriving a person of their liberty by force, threat, or deception."
"HE PREVIOUSLY HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE AND UNDER THE INFLUENCE"
The fourth hearing of the case against Tunay A. was held at the Kocaeli 1st Heavy Penal Court. In the courtroom, the detained defendant Tunay A., his lawyers, the victim's mother Kevser Erden, and her lawyer were present. The defendant's lawyers argued that Rümeysa was driving without a license and under the influence, leading to the accident, and stated that he had previously been involved in an accident while driving under the influence and without a license. Mother Kevser Erden requested the heaviest punishment for the defendant.
"I WOULDN'T WANT EVEN A SINGLE HAIR OF HERS TO BE HARMED"
Detained suspect Tunay A., who denied the charges, stated, "I have no intention or fault. There was not even a fight between Rümeysa and me. I wouldn't want even a single hair of hers to be harmed. She was my girlfriend. I have no fault in the outcome. I request a verdict of acquittal. Our relationship with Rümeysa was always good. She was a fun person. The statement I gave at the police station was nonsense. I do not accept the charges."
AGGRAVATED LIFE IMPRISONMENT
The court panel ruled that Tunay A. should be acquitted of the charge of "depriving a person of their liberty by force, threat, or deception," but sentenced him to aggravated life imprisonment for "intentional murder of a woman." No reduction was applied due to the defendant's lack of credible remorse.
THE VERDICT WAS MET WITH APPLAUSE
After the court's decision, the gathered crowd applauded the verdict. Mother Kevser Erden shared her emotions with her supporters, embracing them in tears. In statements made after the hearing, Lawyer Tarık Sağlam said, "The defendant was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. However, we requested an acquittal for the charge of 'depriving a person of their liberty,' and we will take this matter to a higher court. What pleased us in this court was the absence of a good behavior reduction."
"MY HEART IS A LITTLE RELIEVED"
Expressing her happiness about the verdict, Mother Kevser said, "I trust in God first, then in justice, and in my lawyer Tarık Sağlam. He is very solid, just like his surname. I am very happy. I am finished, but my heart is a little relieved. I hope he will receive an even heavier sentence, and we will see those days too."