21.04.2025 21:10
The case regarding the murder of a liquor store owner in Esenyurt, Istanbul, in which two people lost their lives, has been concluded. The court sentenced the four defendants to life imprisonment twice.
On July 28, 2023, the trial regarding the murder of Yunus Emre Erzen and Batuhan Bayındır, who lost their lives at a liquor store in Esenyurt, concluded with a verdict for 10 defendants. The hearing held at the Bakırköy 2nd High Criminal Court was attended by the detained defendants via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). The complainants Solmaz Erzen, Cantürk Erzen, and Mehmet Erzen, who was also detained for another crime, along with their attorneys, were present in the courtroom.
"THEY CAME THERE TO COMMIT MURDER" During the hearing, Mehmet Erzen, the complainant brother of Yunus Emre Erzen, who lost his life in the attack, made a statement. In his statement, Erzen said, "This incident did not happen in a day; it has a history. The other side shot up my shop, and then I shot up their shop. They did this to kill us. They were talking about taking over the liquor store. They always shot up my shop, and I was shooting at those who came, but my brother was not like me; he had nothing to do with these matters. They came there to commit murder. My biological brother is dead; I would do anything for that, but I am in prison. I am complaining about all the defendants," he stated. Other complainants also expressed their complaints and requested the defendants to be punished.
Yunus Emre Erzen "I DID NOT SHOOT HIM IN THE HEAD, I SHOT HIS FEET" Detained defendant Tarık Özer stated in his defense, "My actions were completely instinctive. I was trying to defend my son, my brother, and myself. I had no intention to kill; I just wanted to break his resistance and take his weapon. I did not kill Batuhan Bayındır; whoever did should come forward. Do not punish me for a person I did not kill. Think of a father, a brother. What would you do if you were in my place? Which father would allow his son or brother to be killed? I apologize to the victim's family for the incident. I intervened to save our lives. I did not shoot him in the head; if I wanted to kill, I would have done that. I shot his feet. I am not a person who would kill someone. Everyone's life has been ruined for nothing. When the weapon came out, I lost my consciousness. I protected my brother, myself, and my son," he said.
Tarık Özer "I AM VERY SORRY AND REGRETFUL" Detained defendant Azat Özer stated in his defense, "On the day of the incident, I was called by my father and uncle. I do not even know Cantürk and Yunus Emre Erzen. When we arrived at the scene, a scuffle broke out suddenly. I do not remember what happened at all. I did not fire in any way. I am very sorry and regretful about the incident. We could not have predicted that things would come to this. If we had not intervened, my uncle would have been killed. I want my release and acquittal," he defended.
"EVEN IF I HAD KISSED HIS HAND THERE, THIS RESULT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED" Detained defendant Murat Özer, who stated that he had no problem with Cantürk Erzen, said in his defense, "I have no problem with Cantürk Erzen. I did not commit a crime. Sooner or later, justice will prevail; I will be released. Emre Erzen had prepared his weapon that day. Even if I had kissed his hand there, this result would not have changed. I do not use my weapon; I hit with a bottle so that he does not take his weapon. Emre was not calm at that moment. I was shot in the foot as well. I have my own farm; we have chickens here. If there is no one to slaughter the chicken, I cannot even kill and eat a chicken. We have been in prison for 21 months. My contribution to the incident was to save my own life. I have infinite confidence in justice," he stated.
Detained defendant Servet Özer stated in his defense, "I have a different legal relationship with Cantürk. I had a problem with his son. There was no disrespect from me or my brother towards him. If the bullets had come to me, they would have said the man who intervened was killed. I am being tried in detention even though I did nothing. If there is any evidence against me, let them say it," he said.
THREW A WATER BOTTLE AT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS During the hearing, upon the request of the public prosecutor, complainant Mehmet Erzen was removed from the courtroom for disrupting the order of the hearing. As Erzen was taken outside under the escort of gendarmerie, he reacted by throwing a water bottle at the defense attorneys. The defense attorneys requested the acquittal of their clients. When the defendants were asked for their final words before the substantive decision, they requested their acquittal from the court.
4 DEFENDANTS SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT TWICE The court panel announced its decision, sentencing Tarık, Murat, Azat, and Servet Özer to life imprisonment twice for the crime of 'intentional killing' committed against the victims Batuhan Bayındır and Yunus Emre Erzen. The court also ruled that the four defendants be sentenced to 11 years in prison each for the crime of 'attempted intentional killing.' Tarık and Azat Özer were sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for the crime of 'carrying and possessing an unlicensed firearm.' The court decided that the other four defendants be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for the crime of 'harboring a criminal.' The court acquitted the other defendants of the charges against them.
FROM THE INDICTMENT The indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office described the incident that occurred on July 28, 2023, around 11:20 PM at the Baray Tekel-Gold Park Delicatessen located on Mehmet Akif Ersoy Street in the Güzelyurt neighborhood of Esenyurt. The indictment stated that as a result of a dispute between the parties and gunfire, Yunus Emre Erzen was shot 8 times and lost his life, while Batuhan Bayındır was shot twice and died from his injuries. The indictment also noted that complainant Yusuf Erzen and suspect Murat Özer were injured in various parts of their bodies.
In the indictment, it is requested that the suspects Tarık, Murat, Azat, and Servet Özer be sentenced to 1 time aggravated life imprisonment, 1 time life imprisonment, and imprisonment from 16 years and 6 months to 31 years and 9 months for the crimes of 'intentional murder with the motive of blood feud', 'intentional murder', 'attempted intentional murder with the motive of blood feud', and violation of Law No. 6136. It was also requested that 6 other suspects be sentenced to varying terms of imprisonment.