05.11.2025 04:19
The trial of taxi driver Kadir Biçer, who was assaulted by a British boxer passenger he picked up from the airport in Istanbul, has begun. In his statement during the hearing, Biçer said, "I cannot continue my life in good health. I wake up screaming every night." The defendant, on the other hand, defended himself by saying, "I have panic attacks. I thought I was being kidnapped. That’s why I attacked. My intention was not to rob."
The trial of taxi driver Kadir Biçer, who was assaulted by British national boxer Ross Kitchen, who he picked up from Istanbul Airport, has begun.
"I THOUGHT I WAS KIDNAPPED, THAT'S WHY I ATTACKED"
In the hearing held at the Istanbul 18th High Criminal Court, the detained defendant Ross Kitchen, the complainant Kadir Biçer, and the lawyers of both parties were present. When asked to defend himself, defendant Kitchen said, "I have panic attacks. I was feeling bad even before coming to Turkey. I thought I was kidnapped. That's why I attacked. My intention was not to rob."
"HE STUCK HIS FINGERS INTO MY EYE, TURNED MY NECK"
Complainant Kadir Biçer stated in the hearing: "I work at the airport. On the day of the incident, it was my turn, and the defendant was put in my car. The person who put him in said that the defendant was going to a hotel in Taksim. As a rule, we put the luggage in the trunk. We do not allow customers to take them with them. While the defendant was driving, he started talking to himself and laughing. I asked him where he was from. I took my phone but did not call anyone. I opened the translation app. He took my phone and threw it on the ground. He stuck his fingers into my eye. He turned my neck. At that moment, I was driving the car at 90 km/h.
"I SAID 'OH NO, I HAVE A DAUGHTER'"
He bit my hand. I was bleeding from my hand. I was also bleeding from my eye. I said, 'Oh no, I have a daughter.' He opened my coat pocket and took the money inside. I did not resist when he took the money and let me go. I pulled the car over to the right and stopped. I leaned against the car. The defendant hit me, I fell to the ground, and he kicked my head several times. I couldn't move my fingers. There was no one to whom I could tell my troubles. I could only hear voices. He took money from my pocket and also damaged the vehicle.
"I WAKE UP SCREAMING EVERY NIGHT"
I really do not believe that he is innocent or sick. I cannot continue my life in good health. My eye is damaged and I am blind. I have suffered the loss of a limb. I wake up screaming every night. To this day, I have not been compensated for any of my damages. I am complaining."
THE DETENTION WILL CONTINUE
The court panel, which announced its interim decision, decided to continue the defendant's detention and ruled that time should be given until the next hearing for the complainant's damages to be compensated. The hearing was postponed to address the deficiencies.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that on April 25, 2025, at around 01:55, Kadir Biçer was driving towards Alibeyköy with British national boxer Ross Kitchen. It was reported that Kitchen suddenly attacked Biçer during this time. The indictment stated that taxi driver Biçer stopped the vehicle on the roadside and tried to get out of the vehicle to escape the attack, and that he was assaulted by the defendant outside the vehicle. The indictment also mentioned that the taxi driver's 45 Euros and nearly 60,000 TL in cash, which were in the pocket of his coat, were missing after the incident, and he filed a complaint. According to the crime scene investigation and video record, it was noted that Kitchen hit the victim multiple times, and it was determined that he continued to injure the victim despite the victim's attempt to distance himself from the vehicle. A total prison sentence of 13 to 33 years was requested for Ross Kitchen for the crimes of 'causing a fracture with malicious intent' and 'qualified robbery.'