10.06.2026 16:31
In Konya, the 23-year prison sentence given to Ali Rıza Yüzer with an "unjust provocation" reduction for killing his 6-month-pregnant wife Sadife Yüzer in 2020 was found inappropriate by the Court of Cassation. After lengthy reversal and objection processes, the court complied with the Court of Cassation and sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment again.
In Konya, Ali Rıza Yüzer (40), who killed his 6-month pregnant wife Sadife Yüzer (35) with a shotgun by claiming the baby in her womb was not his, appeared before the judge again at the Konya Regional Court of Justice after the Supreme Court overturned for the second time the decision that gave him 23 years in prison with 'unjust provocation' and 'good conduct' reductions. The court, which had previously resisted the decision twice, this time complied with the Supreme Court's ruling and sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment.
Ali Rıza Yüzer, a farmer in Dineksaray neighborhood of Çumra district, married for 12 years, shot his 6-month pregnant wife Sadife Yüzer, mother of his 3 children, 5 times with a shotgun on December 16, 2020, after an argument claiming the baby was not his. Sadife Yüzer collapsed, and Ali Rıza Yüzer notified the medical teams. Sadife Yüzer could not be saved despite the intervention of health personnel dispatched to the address. Ali Rıza Yüzer was taken into custody by the gendarmerie and arrested. A DNA test revealed that Yüzer was the father of the deceased baby.
LIFE IMPRISONMENT FROM THE LOCAL COURT
Ali Rıza Yüzer, tried at the Konya 3rd Heavy Penal Court for 'intentional killing of his wife knowing she was pregnant', was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. The court panel concluded that Yüzer committed the crime under 'unjust provocation' and reduced the sentence to life imprisonment.
APPEAL AGAINST THE VERDICT
Yüzer's lawyer appealed to the higher court, the Konya Regional Court of Justice, objecting to the verdict. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice found the sentence excessive and overturned the decision, sending the file back to the 3rd Heavy Penal Court. The local court issued the same verdict again. The file was sent once more to the Konya Regional Court of Justice. In the hearing held on June 8, 2023, at the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice, Ali Rıza Yüzer was first given a life sentence. Taking into account Yüzer's 'behavior during the trial process', the court reduced the sentence to 23 years.
SUPREME COURT: THE MURDER WAS COMMITTED WITHOUT PROVOCATION PROVISIONS
Following this decision, the file was sent to the Supreme Court for appeal. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court concluded that Ali Rıza Yüzer committed the murder without 'unjust provocation' provisions and sent the file back to the regional court with a request for retrial by a majority vote. However, the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice insisted on its decision, citing 'the benefit of the doubt for the defendant', and again imposed a 23-year prison sentence.
"THE REGIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE'S RESISTANCE TO THE DECISION IS AGAINST THE LAW"
Upon objection, the file was sent back to the Supreme Court. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court stated that the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Konya Regional Court of Justice's resistance to the decision was against the law. In the decision taken by majority vote, it was stated: "Since it is understood that applying unjust provocation provisions is against the law when there is no act from Sadife that would cause rage or severe distress, the court's resistance decision is not deemed appropriate."
The file was then sent to the Supreme Court Criminal General Assembly. The Criminal General Assembly, examining the file, also stated that unjust provocation provisions should not be applied and overturned the decision by majority vote. The decision included: "The claim that the deceased deceived the defendant before the date of the crime could not be proven; on the contrary, it was established by material evidence that the defendant engaged in oppressive and violent behavior toward the deceased."
The file was sent back to the appeals court.
THE COURT COMPLIED WITH THE DECISION
In the file sent back by the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, stating the illegality of the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Konya Regional Court of Justice's resistance to the decision, the court complied with the Supreme Court's ruling. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Regional Court of Justice sentenced Ali Rıza Yüzer to life imprisonment.