Statement from mother before Atlas Çağlayan trial: 'I now want justice for my child'

As the trial of defendant E.Ç. continues regarding the death of 17-year-old Atlas Çağlayan, who lost his life after being stabbed during a fight in Istanbul's Güngören district, mother Gülhan Ünlü made a statement in front of the Bakırköy Courthouse before the hearing.

In the statement, where many citizens gathered in front of the courthouse to show their support, Ünlü stated that she wants the defendant to receive the harshest possible sentence. Stating that some of their requests were rejected in the first hearing, Ünlü expressed that they specifically demand that the footage related to the incident be reviewed and that the individuals listed as witnesses in the file also be tried as defendants.

Gülhan Ünlü alleged that the file contains text messages, photos of the defendant with weapons, correspondence regarding another alleged stabbing incident days before the event, and elements related to drugs. Ünlü said, “8 months have passed; we have no nights, no days, no sleep. I now want justice for my child.”

Mother Ünlü emphasized that no sentence to be given would soothe her pain, but she wants the perception of impunity to be eliminated. Ünlü stated, “There should no longer be the mindset of ‘we will serve 3 years, 5 years, and then continue our lives.’ We now want to protect our other children as well.”

Commenting on the sentencing amounts, Ünlü said, “A sentence of 21 years is given, but the actual time served becomes 5 years. This sentence feels as if it is being given to the victimized families.” Arguing that there have been gaps and allegations of evidence tampering in the file from the beginning, Ünlü said they want to leave the courthouse feeling “more hopeful.”

Following the statement, the hearing, in which a verdict is expected, began.