The second hearing of the Newborn Gang case! İlker Gönen's lawyer requested the prosecutor to withdraw from the case.

The second hearing of the case, in which 47 defendants are being tried for unlawfully profiting by transferring newborn babies to the neonatal units of contracted private hospitals in Istanbul and causing their deaths through negligent behavior, is continuing.

The hearing is being held in a conference hall due to the insufficient capacity of the Bakırköy Courthouse's 22nd Heavy Penal Court. At the hearing, which started at 10:35, 26 detained defendants, including Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen, as well as 21 non-detained defendants and their lawyers were present. Some non-detained defendants participated in the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS).

REQUEST FOR THE PROSECUTOR TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CASE

Moments drew attention when the lawyer of detained defendant İlker Gönen stated that the hearing prosecutor and the investigation prosecutor took a photo and shared it on social media. Gönen's lawyer Aydın Mantar said, "We request the withdrawal from the case due to the photo taken by Prosecutor Kadir Kocakaya on social media." Prosecutor Kadir Kocakaya responded to Mantar, saying, "The investigation prosecutor is my classmate. Of course, we can meet. There is no point in portraying our meeting outside the hearing as sensational. There is no ruling for withdrawal. If you think I am not performing my duty properly, you can go to the HSK."

A BREAK WAS GIVEN IN THE HEARING

A 30-minute break was given in the hearing to evaluate the requests due to the request of the defendants' lawyers to reject the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE

In the 1399-page indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is stated that the criminal organization led by defendant doctor Fırat Sarı is managed by defendant doctor İlker Gönen and 112 Emergency Call Center ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir.

The indictment notes that the main purpose of the criminal organization is to eliminate the 112 transfer system of the neonatal intensive care units they took over, ensure their occupancy, manipulate the patients' levels, and receive maximum payments from the Social Security Institution (SGK).

The indictment states that the condition of the infant patients was presented as more severe than it actually was, and they were kept hospitalized for longer than necessary, resulting in high fees being collected from SGK and excess money being taken from some patients' relatives.

It is reported in the indictment that instead of transferring the infant patients to hospitals that would provide appropriate health services, they were admitted to hospitals chosen by the suspects that appeared profitable for the organization, and most of the profits were shared with the defendant members of the organization who are health workers. The indictment states that the main goal was to obtain the maximum financial gain rather than improving the health condition of the infants.

PENALTIES SOUGHT FOR THE DEFENDANTS

The indictment requests a total of 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months of imprisonment for defendants Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen for the deaths of 10 infants due to "manslaughter by negligence," "qualified fraud," and "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," with 10 counts for the first two charges and 11 counts for "forgery in official documents."

Defendant Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir is also sought to be sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 180 years to 589 years and 9 months for "manslaughter by negligence," "unlawful acquisition of personal data," "fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations," "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," and "forgery in official documents." Additionally, similar prison sentences are foreseen for 44 defendants, 8 of whom are women.

The indictment also requests that security measures specific to legal entities be applied to the responsible hospitals and companies that obtained material benefits through the crime of "fraud," including their closure and confiscation of their assets.