The trial of the newborn gang is starting.

The revelation of the newborn scandal in hospitals in Istanbul and Tekirdağ, Turkey, has caused a stir. The managers and members of the newborn gang, who provided unfair profits by transferring babies to hospitals they had agreements with and caused their deaths through negligence, will appear before the judge today.

1,399-PAGE INDICTMENT

In the summary prepared by the prosecutor regarding the deaths of 10 babies, 19 hospitals and healthcare companies were listed as "jointly liable," and 47 individuals were identified as "suspects." The 1,399-page indictment states that the criminal organization led by defendant doctor Fırat Sarı was managed by defendant doctor İlker Gönen and ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir.

EVERYTHING FOR MONEY!

The indictment revealed that the gang committed document forgery by misrepresenting the patients' current conditions in the paperwork (such as representing intubated patients as non-intubated and vice versa, and billing for unused medications as if they were used), showing patients' conditions as more severe than they actually were to extend their hospital stays and collect higher fees from SGK, and charging extra fees from some patients' relatives.

It was noted that the suspects also received a share of the profits. Patients were admitted to hospitals deemed profitable by the organization, with the aim not being to improve the health conditions of the babies but to maximize financial gain. The indictment also stated that nurses introduced themselves as doctors and that improper epicrisis reports were written. The indictment requested the closure of the intermediary hospitals and companies and the confiscation of their assets.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 582 YEARS IN PRISON FOR GANG LEADER

Within the scope of the indictment, it was requested that defendants Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen be sentenced to a total of 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months in prison for 10 counts of 'manslaughter by negligence,' 'qualified fraud,' 'establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime,' and 11 counts of 'forgery of official documents.'

According to the news in Türkiye Gazetesi, defendant Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir is facing a request for imprisonment of 180 years to 589 years and 9 months for 'manslaughter by negligence,' 'illegal 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 of official documents.' Similar prison sentences were requested for other defendants for related crimes.

Additionally, those who threatened the prosecutor Y.E., who is conducting the investigation, with death in his office have also been arrested.