Controversial defense from the lawyer of Atlas's killer: Requested his release!

The concept of a "Child Driven to Crime (SSÇ)," which was frequently debated during the Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi (15) case, has returned to the center of the agenda following the murder of Atlas Çağlayan (17). Large segments of society are calling for the removal of sentencing reductions applied to child defendants. According to current legislation, individuals in the 15-18 age group are tried with prison sentences ranging from 18 to 24 years, even if the crime would otherwise require an aggravated life sentence.

In a cafe in Istanbul's Güngören district, an argument that allegedly started over "looking the wrong way" quickly turned into a fight. It was reported that 15-year-old E.Ç. wounded Atlas Çağlayan in the chest with a switchblade he was carrying, and that Çağlayan's death at a young age caused great sorrow across the country. New steps have been taken in the investigations conducted following the incident.

THREATENING MESSAGES TO THE FAMILY, 4 DETAINED

While the investigation was ongoing, it was revealed that threatening messages were sent to Atlas Çağlayan's family. It was reported that a message sent to his mother, Gülhan Ünlü, contained the phrases, "We killed your son Atlas, now it's your turn. We will bury you next to your son." Ünlü reacted to the situation by saying, "I will not bow down to threats."

The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation into the messages in question and instructed the Istanbul Provincial Police Department to apprehend the suspects. Three people alleged to have made provocative posts on social media following Çağlayan's death, and one suspect identified as having threatened mother Ünlü, were taken into custody.

DEFENSE STATEMENT SPARKS DEBATE

According to information provided by journalist İhsan Yalçın, the lawyer for the defendant E.Ç. argued in the defense statement recorded in the minutes that his client acted with the intent to "intimidate" rather than "injure," and requested his release, claiming that he was under "unjust provocation" due to his young age and the allegation that he was subjected to insults.

On the other hand, it was stated that security camera footage included in the file clearly shows that the suspect did not act randomly, but rather moved toward the victim and stabbed him directly.

News Source: 12punto