She had killed her husband: Court issues release decision

A release decision has been issued in the case of Serap Avcı, who was being tried in detention for the alleged murder of her husband, Yasin Avcı, whom she stated had subjected her to violence for a long time. The fifth hearing of the trial, conducted at the Küçükçekmece Courthouse, was held recently, and the prosecution had leveled serious charges in its closing statement.

PROSECUTION'S CLOSING STATEMENT HAD SPARKED CONTROVERSY

During the hearing, the prosecutor had requested that Serap Avcı be punished for the crime of "qualified intentional homicide" and stated that the incident could only be evaluated within the framework of unjust provocation. Upon the defense's request for more time, the final hearing was postponed to December 9. In today's hearing, the court issued a release decision.

“EVIDENCE OF VIOLENCE WAS IGNORED”

Throughout the legal process, women's organizations had expressed their reactions to the prosecution's assessments.

The criticisms emphasized that the evidence present in the file for months, which demonstrated the violence Serap Avcı was subjected to, was largely ignored in the prosecution's closing statement.

In this context, it was stated that:

The testimonies of neighbor witnesses,

The assessments of the Mor Çatı Women's Shelter Foundation,

Forensic medicine reports showing the signs of battery on Serap's body

were not included in the closing statement.

“THE HOUSE WAS SHAKING”

According to prosecution documents, the incident occurred in the early hours of April 18, 2024.

Neighbors stated that the sounds coming from the house where the couple lived created the feeling that "the house was shaking" and that they were worried Serap Avcı would be killed.

“I WAS THREATENED WITH DEATH MANY TIMES”

Serap Avcı, both during the investigation process and in the hearings, reiterated the following points:

That she had been subjected to systematic violence for years,

That she was not allowed to leave throughout the marriage,

That her husband attacked her repeatedly after using alcohol and drugs,

That she was threatened through her child,

That she was intimidated with death.

She explained that on the night of the incident, she was dragged to the balcony and had no other option but to defend herself for fear of being thrown off.

According to the report, signs of battery were found on Serap Avcı's neck, head, abdomen, and shoulder area. It was determined that these injuries were consistent with her claims of violence.

However, the prosecution did not evaluate this situation within the scope of legitimate self-defense and suggested the application of unjust provocation.

In line with the prosecution's request, a reduction for unjust provocation was sought within the scope of the "qualified intentional homicide" charge. In today's final hearing, the court issued a release decision for the detained Serap Avcı.