Individuals who tried to force their way into a church under the influence of alcohol sentenced to 1 year and 8 months each

Last November, two intoxicated individuals who arrived in front of the Protestant Church on Sümer Street in the Mustafa Kemal Paşa neighborhood of Eskişehir's Tepebaşı district attempted to force their way inside by punching the door and windows. The suspects, who threatened the church pastor Artun Tokatlı, who came to the door, by saying, “Are you Jewish? Are you Israeli? I will burn you,” later left the scene. Upon Tokatlı's complaint, police teams apprehended and detained the suspects named Aykut K. and Halil D. Medical examinations revealed that Aykut K. had a blood alcohol level of 2.16 promille, while Halil D. had 3.27 promille. The suspects were arrested by the court they were referred to and sent to prison.

A lawsuit was filed by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Aykut K. and Halil D., who were released after spending 9 days in prison. In the case heard at the Eskişehir 7th Criminal Court of First Instance, it was requested that the suspects Aykut K. and Halil D. be sentenced to between 4 and 11 years in prison each for the crimes of 'threatening more than one person', 'publicly inciting the people to hatred and hostility', and 'violating the immunity of a workplace by using force or threats'.

The non-custodial defendants Aykut K. and Halil D. were present in the courtroom for the final hearing of the case. Lawyers for both parties also attended the hearing. Defending himself when given the floor by the court panel, suspect Halil D. stated that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and said, “I am not aware that we went to the church. It is not something I did knowingly. I would not want to engage in such an act, and that was not my intention. I did not threaten anyone; I do not know the pastor, why would I threaten him? I am remorseful and request my acquittal.”

Explaining that he did not remember the incident because he was under the influence of alcohol, defendant Aykut K. said, “I met with Halil, and we drank alcohol. I don't remember what happened afterward. The police picked me up in front of the church. I did not make threats, insult, or use profanity.”

Announcing its verdict after the defendants' statements, the panel sentenced Aykut K. and Halil D. to 1 year and 8 months in prison each for the crime of 'threatening more than one person', with a reduction for good conduct, and decided to suspend the sentences and place them under 2 years of probation.

Upon Tokatlı stating that the defendants had come and apologized to them and withdrawing his complaint, the charge of violating the immunity of a workplace was dropped. Furthermore, Aykut K. and Halil D. were acquitted of the charge of 'publicly inciting the people to hatred and hostility'.