12.07.2026 20:00
It was claimed that a 14-year-old child with Down syndrome, autism, and epilepsy was subjected to violence at a special education and rehabilitation center in Elazığ. The father, who was deeply shocked by the scene he saw on his child's body, first rushed to the hospital and then to the courthouse. While an judicial and administrative investigation was launched by the Elazığ Governor's Office, inspectors were assigned by the provincial directorate of national education.
According to allegations in Elazığ, 14-year-old Muhammed Cüneyt Yalçın, who has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, autism, and epilepsy, was subjected to violence at the special education and rehabilitation center where he was studying. Upon being notified of the situation by the institution's officials, father Mehmet Yalçın went to the center and discovered signs of assault on his child's body. Shocked by what he saw, father Yalçın went to Fırat University Hospital's emergency department and obtained the first assault report.
OBTAINED ASSAULT REPORT AND FILED A COMPLAINT
Father Yalçın, stating that officials claimed the incident was caused by another disabled child, argued that there was negligence at the institution. Noting that the signs of assault were especially on his child's neck, back, and shoulder area, father Yalçın filed a criminal complaint with judicial authorities after obtaining the assault report.
Father Mehmet Yalçın, who initiated legal proceedings, also emphasized that he feels great anxiety for his son Muhammed Cüneyt Yalçın due to filing a complaint. Expressing his fear, Yalçın said, "When we report these incidents, I also experience the fear and worry that other rehabilitation centers will not accept my child because of this situation. At this point, I expect authorities to help us," making an appeal.
"THERE ARE SERIOUS ASSAULT MARKS ON HIS SHOULDER, EAR, BACK, AND NECK"
Providing information about the incident at the rehabilitation center, father Mehmet Yalçın said, "They called me from the rehabilitation center around 4 o'clock and said they wanted to meet with me. When I arrived at their place 45 minutes later, they said, 'Your son was subjected to violence, it's our fault.' When I asked to see my child, they stalled me for about 15 minutes. After my child came, when I opened his back, I saw marks as if struck by an object, excessively. There are very serious assault marks on my son's shoulder, ear, back, and especially on his neck. I took video footage and photos of the situation and recorded them. They apologized to me many times and said this was done by another disabled child. I told them there was negligence, saying 'We entrust our children to you.' I went to Fırat University Hospital's Emergency Outpatient Clinic, obtained the assault report, and then filed a complaint with judicial authorities," he said.
"THEY STATED THERE ARE NO CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOMS"
Yalçın, who shared the general problems they face in special education institutions and services and called for inspection, stated, "When I told them I wanted to watch the cameras, they stated there are no cameras in the classrooms. Why is a severely disabled child placed in the same place as a mildly disabled child? Additionally, we also experience problems with the services. The service drivers, who claim to transport special individuals, say someone should accompany them. When we explained the situation to them, we received responses like 'We cannot take your child; take them to another institution then.' Our expectation is that such special children receive education under better conditions. Our hope is that these types of schools are inspected more frequently. We hope for assistance and that more care is shown to these children because they are special," he said.
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNORSHIP
The Elazığ Governorship made a statement regarding the issue. In the statement made by the Governorship, it was stated, "A sad incident occurred at a private rehabilitation center operating in our city on Friday, July 10, 2026, around 15:00. According to initial information, when a severely mentally disabled individual exhibited aggressive behavior at the building entrance, showing hostile attitudes towards education personnel and the service vehicle, the teachers on duty intervened to control the situation. During this time, a moderately mentally disabled student left unsupervised in the classroom struck another student in the same classroom with a plastic flag stick, and the student was slightly injured. Following the incident, the necessary medical intervention was promptly provided to the injured student, and administrative and judicial processes were immediately initiated to clarify all aspects of the incident. Inspectors from the provincial directorate of national education have been urgently assigned regarding the matter, and the incident is being meticulously examined from all aspects by judicial and administrative authorities. The process is being closely monitored by our Governorship. For the integrity of the investigation, it is important not to rely on unverified information and claims."