18.12.2025 17:07
A verdict has been reached in the case of Fatıma Zehra Kınık Demir, the daughter of former Red Crescent President Kerem Kınık, who is being tried without detention in connection with a traffic accident in Istanbul that resulted in the death of Batın Barlasçeki and injuries to two others. In the retrial, following the annulment of the 4-year and 2-month prison sentence by the appellate court, Kınık was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. Additionally, it drew attention that Kınık claimed in her defense at the court that the fault lay with the motorcycle driver and requested her acquittal.
On July 9, in the Beykoz district of Istanbul, Fatın Barlasçeki (17) lost his life in an accident caused by a collision with a motorcycle. The former President of the Red Crescent, Kerem Kınık's daughter, Fatıma Zehra Kınık Demir, was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison for the crime of 'causing the death of one person and injuring multiple people by negligence.' Kınık's driver's license was also revoked for a period of 2 years.
THE DECISION WAS OVERTURNED ON APPEAL
The case was brought to the appellate court. The Istanbul Regional Court of Appeals, 19th Criminal Chamber, overturned the decision made by the local court, Anadolu 8th High Criminal Court. The Criminal Chamber stated that Kınık, who was sentenced for the crime of 'causing death and injury by negligence,' should be punished for 'causing death by negligence' due to the withdrawal of the complaints by the plaintiffs. The appellate court had sent the case back to Anadolu 8th High Criminal Court after the injured parties withdrew their complaints.
PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCED OPINION
During the hearing held on December 1, the public prosecutor announced his opinion on the merits of the case, stating that the complainant Muammer Kızıl had withdrawn his complaint during the investigation phase, while the injured complainant, defendant Öztürk, had withdrawn his complaint during the appeal phase, requesting the defendant to be punished for "causing the death of one person by negligence."
Today, the decision hearing of the case held at Anadolu 8th High Criminal Court was attended by the defendant Fatıma Zehra Kınık Demir, who is not in custody, and the lawyers of the parties.
KINIK: THE FAULT LIES WITH THE MOTORCYCLE DRIVER, I REQUEST MY ACQUITTAL
In her defense at the court, Kınık stated, "I want to say that I am experiencing the same sadness again. I share my sorrow with them. As clearly seen from the camera recordings, I slowly emerged after the minibus that gave me way. I noticed the motorcycle driver, who had suddenly appeared, when he brushed against my headlight. He was in my blind spot, and I realized it when he brushed against me. I wish this accident had never happened. I believe the fault lies with the motorcycle driver. I request my acquittal."
"I REQUEST THE DEFENDANT TO BE PUNISHED IN THE HARDEST WAY"
The mother of the deceased Batın Barlasçeki, Hasret Doğan, stated, "It is absolutely unacceptable for the defendant to go unpunished. I will never see my son again. If he had lived, he would have turned 18, and I do not want this to go unpunished, as it has caused the loss of a life. I request the defendant to be punished in the hardest way."
SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS IN PRISON WITH A REDUCTION
The court, announcing its decision, ruled that Kınık should be punished with 3 years in prison for the crime of 'causing the death of one person by negligence.' The judge decided to reduce the sentence to 2 years and 6 months, considering the defendant's background, social relations, behavior after the act and during the trial process, and the impact of the sentence on the defendant's future. The court also ruled that the defendant's driver's license should be revoked for a period of 1 year.