The defendants in the case of mistreatment of the elderly patient turned on each other in court.

10.02.2025 15:32

Seven defendants who were being tried without detention appeared before the judge as part of the investigation launched following the footage showing them throwing money at the face of an elderly woman named Nermin Zeren, who was in intensive care at a private hospital in Ataşehir, and torturing her. Defendant Ali E. stated in his defense, "The victim is an Alzheimer’s patient, and because she worked at a bank, she said, 'Give me my money from the cash register.' For this reason, we gave her photocopy money."

After the emergence of footage showing healthcare personnel at a private hospital in Istanbul mistreating an elderly patient, the first hearing of the case was held, in which a total of 7 defendants face prison sentences ranging from 3 to 8 years.

The hearing at the Anadolu 35th Criminal Court of First Instance was attended by the defendants Ali E, Nuriye K, Emrah Ö, İlknur K, and Mert Can S, who are not in custody, along with their lawyers.

"WE DID THIS SO HE WOULDN'T GET OUT OF BED"

Defendant Ali E stated in his defense that the words mentioned in the recording were his, but he denied the accusations.

Ali E explained that the patient had been in intensive care for 2 years and was suffering from Alzheimer's disease:

"The patient was in a condition to be discharged. However, because he was a former employee of İş Bank, he had to stay in the hospital's intensive care unit due to an agreement with the hospital. I request my acquittal. The victim, being an Alzheimer's patient, was saying 'Give me my money from the cash register' because he had previously worked at the bank. For this reason, we were giving him the money as a photocopy. We were doing this so he wouldn't get out of bed. Later, the situation developed spontaneously. The patient was afraid of undergoing surgery. There was a conversation about his kidneys to ensure he wouldn't harm himself by getting out of bed."

Defendant İlknur K claimed that the person in the footage was not her.

Ilknur K denied the accusations, stating that there was no sound in the footage, that she was unaware of the incident, and that she had never witnessed any torture or mistreatment during her time working there, asserting that they met all the patients' needs.

"WE RECEIVED THANKS FROM MANAGEMENT"

Defendant Emrah Ö also reported that multiple patients were in intensive care. He stated that he had not witnessed any situations of torture or mistreatment towards patients, saying, "This patient had been there for years. The patient was given close attention. We would take the patient to the cafeteria to celebrate on their birthdays. Since the patient had no relatives, we were meeting their needs. Due to the attention we showed to the patient, we even received thanks from the management. I do not accept the accusation."

The judge ordered the forcible bringing of defendant Murat Y to the hearing and decided that another defendant, İrem Aysima E, should be present at the next session, postponing the hearing to address the deficiencies.

THE ALLEGATIONS OF TORTURE AND HUMILIATION REFLECTED IN THE INDICTMENT

Following the emergence of a video showing a hospital staff member frightening an elderly woman in intensive care by placing money on her face and exhibiting humiliating behavior, the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office completed its investigation.

The indictment stated that the suspects systematically subjected Nermin Zeren, who was lying in the intensive care unit, to insulting and humiliating behavior while they were on duty at the hospital and unlawfully obtained the victim's personal data.

It was determined that suspect İlknur K systematically made insulting and derogatory remarks towards Nermin Zeren, who was in intensive care, while suspect İrem Aysima E was reported to have tortured the victim with statements such as "Nermin, what are you doing? She has taken her money. Should I take it? Give the woman's money. Nermin isn't giving it. My girl, why don't you curse, ask for the money?" The indictment also described how Ali E threw banknotes at the victim's face.

The indictment noted that the suspect put the victim at risk of infection by throwing money at her face in an area where hygiene conditions, such as the intensive care unit, are highly regarded, and that he frightened the helpless victim by saying he would take her kidney.

The indictment also mentioned that suspect Emrah Ö referred to the victim's kidney, saying, "Give it, get rid of it. There's nothing to be done," indicating that the suspect instilled fear and panic in the victim.

HERE ARE THE REQUESTED PENALTIES

The indictment stated that 4 suspects committed the crime of "torture against a victim who cannot defend themselves physically," and that Nuriye K and Mert Can S, who recorded the images of those insulting and torturing Zeren, were found to have recorded the victim's image, which is considered personal data.

It was noted in the indictment that suspect healthcare support personnel Murat Y had images of the victim's personal data in the hospital's intensive care unit on his mobile phone, and it was requested that suspects Ali E, Emrah Ö, İlknur K, and İrem Aysima E be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 3 to 8 years for the crime of "torture against a victim who cannot defend themselves physically."

It was also requested that the other suspects Mert Can S, Nuriye K, and Murat Y be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 3 to 6 years for the crime of "unlawfully obtaining or disseminating personal data."

WHAT HAPPENED?

As part of the investigation initiated by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 9 suspects were detained, 7 in Istanbul, one in Samsun, and another in Bursa. After their procedures at the police station, 2 of the suspects were released after their statements at the prosecutor's office on October 6, 2022. Among the 4 suspects, including Ali E, who was accused of placing money on the elderly patient, were arrested, while 3 suspects were released under judicial control. The 4 arrested suspects were released under judicial control after a review of their detention by the Anadolu Peace Criminal Court on December 28, 2022.