The words of the presiding judge left a mark on the hearing: "We are also on duty, we are working overtime."

The trial of the administrators and members of the Newborn Gang, which caused newborn babies to die by transferring them to hospitals with which they had agreements and profiting unfairly, continues with the defendants' defenses being taken.

Former Minister of Family and Social Services and AK Party Osmaniye Member of Parliament Derya Yanık also attended the hearing as an observer, which was held in the conference hall of Bakırköy Courthouse.

AMBULANCE DRIVER GIYASETTIN MERT ÖZDEMİR ON THE DEFENDANT'S STAND

The first to take the stand was ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir, one of the key figures of the gang. In the indictment, it is claimed that Özdemir was a 112 ambulance driver who acted contrary to the ASKOM algorithm to fill the intensive care units of the hospitals operated by Fırat Sarı, convincing the family of the baby patient first, then performing the treatment rejection process for the patient without obtaining a provision number from the 112 call center, and making it appear as if this patient had not gone to any other hospital, thus enabling an emergency admission to one of the operating hospitals and receiving money per transfer as a result of this process. It is also alleged that he sometimes introduced himself as "Doctor" Ahmet during conversations with the 112 transport unit.

"YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE SO MUCH FREE TIME"

During the hearing, a striking dialogue occurred between the presiding judge and defendant Özdemir. The presiding judge, surprised by Özdemir's ambulance driving, patient directing, and Martı TAG driving, received the response, "Sir, I work 12-hour shifts and take 36 hours off," to which the judge replied, "So you shouldn't have so much free time. We also have shifts and work hours."

The dialogue between the presiding judge and Özdemir developed as follows:

• The presiding judge asks Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir, the 112 ambulance driver accused of being the leader of the organization:
• Presiding Judge: How many tasks are you dealing with while working at 112? You are doing TAG, directing patients.
• Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir: Sir, I work 12-hour shifts and take 36 hours off.
• Presiding Judge: So you shouldn't have so much free time. We also have shifts and work hours.