Licenses of 9 hospitals had been revoked: Newborn gang trial begins

The trial of 47 defendants, who are accused of acting in concert with 112 Emergency Call Center employees to refer newborn emergency patients to the neonatal units of private hospitals with which they had prior agreements, and causing their deaths in the process, will begin on Monday.

The first hearing of the trial will be held on Monday, November 18, at the Bakırköy 22nd High Criminal Court. A total of 47 defendants, 22 of whom are in custody, are being tried in the case.

CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION AND HOMICIDE BY OMISSION

The indictment prepared by the prosecutor's office requests that the defendants be punished for the crimes of "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," "being a member of and aiding an organization," "fraud to the detriment of a public institution," "forgery of official documents," and "causing death by negligence."

For the defendants Dr. Fırat Sarı and Dr. İlker Gönen, prison sentences ranging from 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months are requested for 10 counts of "homicide by omission," "qualified fraud," "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," and 11 counts of "forgery of official documents."

For 112 ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir, prison sentences ranging from 180 years to 589 years and 9 months are requested for the crimes of "homicide by omission," "unlawful acquisition of personal data," "fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations," "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing a crime," and "forgery of official documents."

For the other 18 suspects, including nurses and healthcare workers, prison sentences ranging from 10 to 437 years and 6 months are requested due to the deaths of the infants.

LICENSES OF 9 HOSPITALS REVOKED

Within the scope of the investigation, the licenses of 9 private hospitals mentioned in the indictment had been revoked. In the first hearing of the case, the charges and evidence determined for all defendants will be evaluated by the court.