Minister Tunç responds to Yasemin Minguzzi's call for penal reform: 'There is a need'

Ahmet Minguzzi had gone to the market in Kadıköy's Hasanpaşa neighborhood with his friends to buy skateboard equipment. Following an argument that broke out there with individuals named B.B. and U.B., he was stabbed by B.B. It was stated that after Minguzzi fell to the ground, he was also kicked by U.B. The young man, who was seriously injured, passed away on February 9 at the hospital where he was taken.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç made statements regarding the situation during his appearance on an NTV program. Stating that they listen to the calls of families and citizens, Yılmaz Tunç noted the following:

Our child Ahmet Minguzzi was a bright young man. An investigation was launched immediately after the incident. I called his family right away and conveyed to them that this case would be followed to the end and that the defendants would be held accountable. Our President also received the family later, and the family had requests. They had requests, especially regarding children dragged into crime, for whatever needs to be done from now on to be carried out.

The issue of trying children is important. Protecting our children is very important. Protecting them from all kinds of abuse is the most important duty of both families and our state. The Child Protection Law was enacted during our term. Every opportunity has been used to ensure those children are released from prisons in a rehabilitated manner. Children between the ages of 0-12 have no criminal liability. Special measures are taken for them. If children between the ages of 12-15 have committed a crime, a forensic medical report is obtained, and a sentence is given within the framework of this report. The 15-18 age group has criminal liability.

We are now examining other countries as well. Different evaluations can be made, especially regarding age groups. There is also a process here regarding the threatening of the family. For example, in Germany, those under 14 have no criminal liability. Those between 14-17 can receive up to 10 years in prison. In France, those under 13 have no liability. Those between 13-18 receive half the sentence an adult would receive.

With the evaluations we will make, taking into account the sensitivity in society, all these are topics being discussed. We will evaluate the proposals. What is important here is ensuring criminal justice regarding children. The tendency to commit crimes in the past should be evaluated scientifically. We must first remove the criminal elements that encourage our children to commit crimes. There is a need for a fair regulation, which is what is being voiced. These are children dragged into crime; they received sentences. There was also a situation regarding the desecration of the cemetery. Taking his life in that manner wounded us all. Trust our judiciary.

News Source: 12punto