She had died under suspicious circumstances: New investigation decision in the Aslıhan Sinem Çiçek case

A new development has occurred in the case opened following the disappearance of 18-year-old Aslıhan Sinem Çiçek in İzmir after she left home for a job interview, and her subsequent death in the hospital a day later.

At the hearing held yesterday at the İzmir 11th High Criminal Court, it was decided to launch a new investigation against defendants Burak Kaya and Cem Acar for the crime of "causing death." The court ruled that if a case is filed following this investigation, it should be merged with the current file. The trial was adjourned to March 25, 2025.

PREVIOUS DECISIONS HAD BEEN APPEALED

Previously, the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had issued a decision of non-prosecution for the crime of "homicide," and the İzmir 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace had found this decision appropriate. However, the Çiçek family's lawyer, Kubilay Büber, appealed this decision and filed an application for "reversal for the benefit of the law" to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry did not respond positively to this application.

SECOND APPLICATION TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

Lawyer Büber filed a second application to the Ministry of Justice last month, alleging that the defendants Cem Acar and Burak Kaya caused the death of Aslıhan Sinem Çiçek by encouraging her to use high doses of drugs. In his petition, he argued that a quantity of drugs exceeding Çiçek's body capacity was administered by Cem Acar, causing her to fall into a coma and lose her life.

In his petition, Büber also stated that the defendants' statements regarding this matter were not taken during the investigation phase and that the incident was not fully clarified.

Emphasizing that security camera footage in the file shows Çiçek running away from the house where she spent time with Cem Acar, Büber stated that these images point to a possible escape.

It was alleged that during the court process, the focus was only on whether Çiçek had been subjected to sexual assault and whether she had been deprived of her liberty, and that sufficient investigation into the cause of death had not been conducted.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

The indictment stated that on July 26, 2022, a report was made to the 112 Emergency Call Center stating that there was a young woman on the right side of the road at the exit of the Bayraklı Tunnels while traveling from Bornova towards Çiğli, that she did not look healthy, and that she was jumping in front of cars. Law enforcement officers were directed to the scene, and it was reported that Aslıhan Sinem Çiçek was found lying on the ground in the forest, with wounds on her body, bloodstains on her clothes, and the front button and zipper of her trousers open.

It was also recorded that Çiçek told the police that someone had tried to rape her and that she lost consciousness afterward.

The indictment also stated that there was a motorcycle with license plate 35 BBB 189 parked near Aslıhan Sinem Çiçek, that the motorcycle was taken by traffic teams for examination, and that shortly thereafter, suspect Burak Kaya came to the law enforcement officers waiting in the ambulance at the victim's side.

It was noted that Burak Kaya had bloodstains on his arms and face, and his statement that the motorcycle belonged to him, that he had to park it because it ran out of fuel, and that he went to a gas station to get fuel was included.

Regarding the bloodstains on Burak Kaya, it was stated that he claimed they were caused by Çiçek attacking him when he tried to help her. During a search of Burak Kaya, Çiçek's mobile phone was found, and a 30-centimeter knife and a bloody green jacket were found on the motorcycle. The indictment also included that the examination revealed the blood on the jacket did not belong to Çiçek.

Kaya, who was found with Çiçek's phone, was arrested by the criminal judgeship of peace for the crime of 'robbery' at the courthouse where he was referred after procedures at the police station.

On the other hand, research revealed that Çiçek had boarded a white light commercial vehicle. The owner of the vehicle, Cem Acar, was detained on charges of "qualified sexual assault" but was released with an electronic tag, a ban on leaving his residence, and a travel ban.

Diyar Acar, the cousin of Cem Acar, who was detained as part of the investigation, was also released by the court under judicial control conditions. In the forensic report requested for Burak Kaya, narcotic substances were detected in his blood and urine. Kaya was released on October 27 last year with a travel ban, but he was sent to prison after being convicted of another crime.

In the indictment, a prison sentence of up to 19 years was requested for suspect Cem Acar for the crimes of 'qualified sexual assault' and 'deprivation of liberty,' and up to 15 years for Burak Kaya for the crime of 'robbery.'