He stabbed his ex-wife: 'I was arrested due to media pressure,' he claimed

The trial of Sinem T., who was severely injured after being stabbed 7 times by her ex-husband Sinan Özçelik in Ankara, was held at the Ankara 23rd High Criminal Court.

Defendant Sinan Özçelik stated in court that he was remorseful, claiming, "I was arrested due to media pressure." The court decided to continue the defendant's detention.

WHAT HAPPENED? 

Sinem T. had divorced Sinan Özçelik 2 years ago due to severe incompatibility while working at a beauty center. On October 24, 2023, after meeting with their daughters, Özçelik stabbed Sinem T. 7 times when they met to hand over the children. 

Severely injured, Sinem T. recovered after 10 days in intensive care. Özçelik was arrested for 'attempted intentional homicide' but was released 9 months later. Following an objection by Sinem T., the defendant was re-arrested.

TRIAL DETAILS

The fifth hearing of the case was attended by Sinem T. and her lawyer Gamze Özçelik, as well as the detained defendant Sinan Özçelik and his lawyer Barış Bilgin Dilmen. Taking the floor first, defendant Sinan Özçelik said, "I am remorseful, but if she is afraid of me, wouldn't I have killed her within the 10 days after I was released if I wanted to? I was arrested due to media pressure." He also reacted to the members of the press following the hearing, saying, "They are writing lies, I do not want them to record here." However, the presiding judge rejected this request.

The Social Investigation Report submitted to the court stated that the couple's daughter is easily manipulated and is a child open to influence. Additionally, the Forensic Medicine Institute report regarding the scars on Sinem T.'s face was added to the file.

SCANDALOUS DEFENSE FROM THE LAWYER

Defense lawyer Barış Bilgin Dilmen claimed that Sinem T. appeared on television channels and stated that the defendant was arrested without a court order. He also argued that the stab wounds Sinem T. received did not cause internal bleeding and that there was no forceful stabbing.

Sinem T.'s lawyer, Gamze Özçelik, stated that although an electronic tag should have been attached to the defendant after his release, the police were unable to reach him for months. She also emphasized that after his release, Sinan Özçelik sent a friend request to Sinem T. on Instagram and that her client lived in constant fear of being followed and of death.

COURT DECIDES TO CONTINUE DETENTION

Following the statements of the parties, the prosecution requested the continuation of the defendant's detention. The court decided to continue the detention of the defendant Sinan Özçelik and adjourned the next hearing to November 6, 2024, at 09:45.

News Source: 12punto