27.03.2025 09:32
The justification for the sentence of Zeynel Boyacı, who was sentenced to two life sentences, one of which was aggravated, for killing and burying the motorcycle courier Ali Diken, whom he claimed had insulted him, and his sister-in-law Zeynep Ece Aksay, has been announced. The decision emphasized that the provisions of unjust provocation were not applied due to reasons such as the defendant's attempt to cover up the murder of Aksay and his actions of withdrawing money and going for breakfast after the murder of Diken.
Relatives of Ali Diken, who worked as a motorcycle courier in Antalya and could not be reached, applied to the police on December 20, 2023. While the police started working to find Diken, his relatives participated in a television program on January 22, 2024. Among the participants was restaurant employee Zeynel Boyacı, who confessed to killing Diken. Boyacı stated that he killed Ali Diken because he had insulted him severely and was taken into custody. Zeynel Boyacı, brought to Antalya, showed the police where he buried Diken. In the search of the vacant land on Sahil Street in Kundu Neighborhood, the identified area was excavated with a digger. After a while, the corpse of Ali Diken was reached.
2. THE BODY BELONGED TO HIS SISTER-IN-LAW After Zeynel Boyacı indicated that there was another body in the area, a search operation was initiated at the location he showed. After 4 hours of work, Boyacı stated that the body wrapped in a blanket belonged to his sister-in-law Zeynep Ece Aksay. It was revealed that Aksay's family reported her missing on August 13, 2023. It was determined that Zeynel Boyacı killed Ali Diken where he was buried and that he killed his sister-in-law Zeynep Ece Aksay at her home, wrapped her in a blanket, and buried her in the vacant land.
HE STRANGLED THE MOTORCYCLE COURIER, BEAT HIS SISTER-IN-LAW TO DEATH After completing his statement procedures at the Homicide Bureau, Zeynel Boyacı was referred to the courthouse along with his wife I.B., who is considered an accomplice, and his friend M.Ç.K. Boyacı, who confessed to the murders, stated that he strangled Ali Diken due to a money issue and because he insulted him. It was also determined that Zeynel Boyacı withdrew money from Ali Diken's bank card after learning its password. Boyacı stated that he beat his sister-in-law to death because she was a substance abuser and had a relationship with someone. Zeynel Boyacı was arrested by the on-duty judge.
On March 4, the court announced its decision regarding Zeynel Boyacı at the 1st Heavy Penal Court of Antalya. The court sentenced Boyacı to life imprisonment for the crime of 'Intentional Murder' of his sister-in-law and aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of 'Intentional Murder with Premeditation' of Ali Diken. Zeynel Boyacı was also sentenced to 14 years in prison for the crime of 'Robbery' against Ali Diken. The other two defendants in the case were acquitted.
THE REASONING OF THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED The court explained the reasoning for its decision. In the reasoned decision, it was stated that the defendant's defense regarding the murder of Ece Aksay was abstract and lacking credibility, while there was a causal link between the assault and the death of the victim Aksoy. Considering Boyacı's actions of burying the victim after the incident and attempting to cover it up, the panel concluded that Zeynel Boyacı did not show remorse, and thus he was punished for 'Intentional Murder' without any reduction in the sentence.
NO OPINION OF REMORSE WAS FORMED Regarding the murder of Ali Diken, it was emphasized that Boyacı harbored animosity towards Diken and decided to kill him, and after planning, he lured Ali Diken to the place where Zeynep Ece Aksay, whom he had previously killed, was buried, first assaulted him, and then strangled him with a rope. The panel concluded that Boyacı's statements were based on abstract events, noting that he withdrew money and went for breakfast after the murder, concealed evidence, and that no opinion of remorse was formed. It was stated in the decision that before the murder, Diken threatened him by wrapping a rope around his neck, learned the bank passwords, withdrew money from the victim's cards, and took valuable items such as a phone and cash before fleeing. It was emphasized that Zeynel Boyacı was sentenced for the crime of 'Qualified Robbery' due to these actions. The decision also stated that the other defendants I.B. and M.Ç.K. were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
"WE WILL APPEAL" Evaluating the decision, Elif Büşra Berber, one of the lawyers of the Diken family, stated, "In the trial, the defendant has been punished for the proven crimes of 'Robbery' and 'Intentional Murder' against the victim. As a result of the sentences imposed with an increase away from the lower limit, the defendant has received the sentence we anticipated. On the other hand, since the defendant I.B. has contradictory statements in the case, the sentences imposed on him are considered insufficient by both us and the prosecution, and we will appeal to the higher courts," she said.
Islam Gezer, one of the family's lawyers, stated, "While the sentences imposed by the court are a consolation for the grieving family, we will undoubtedly fight for I.B. to receive the punishment he deserves in higher courts due to his contradictory statements, despite initially saying 'I knew about the murder' at the beginning of the incident," he said.