US court reaches decision on Eylem Tok's son Timur Cihantimur: Notable remarks from the prosecutor

17-year-old Timur Cihantimur, who caused the death of Oğuz Murat Aci in Istanbul on March 1 while driving without a license and was subsequently taken to the US by his mother Eylem Tok, has appeared in court in the US for the second time.

'RELEASE HIM' DEMAND FROM HIS LAWYERS

Cihantimur was brought to the John Joseph Moakley Courthouse in Boston, where the case regarding Turkey's extradition request is being heard. During the hearing, Timur Cihantimur's lawyers requested his release, stating that the conditions at the juvenile rehabilitation center where their client is being held are poor.

'THE IDEA TO FLEE WAS NOT TIMUR'S, BUT HIS MOTHER'S'

Stating that Timur Cihantimur's mother, Eylem Tok, is in the US on a tourist visa, the lawyers claimed that Eylem Tok and Timur Cihantimur had no intention of fleeing to Cuba or Canada. The lawyers further stated that the idea of fleeing Turkey was not Timur Cihantimur's, but his mother Eylem Tok's.

NOTABLE REMARKS FROM THE PROSECUTOR

Opposing the request for Timur Cihantimur's release, Prosecutor Kristin Kearney pointed out that Timur Cihantimur has a wealthy family and suggested that they could also help him flee the US.

Responding to the defense's claims regarding poor conditions at the juvenile rehabilitation center, Kearney stated that the conditions at the center were quite appropriate, adding that Cihantimur might be dissatisfied with prison conditions because he is used to living in million-dollar homes.

DECISION MADE FOR TIMUR CİHANTİMUR TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY

Presiding Judge Donald L. Cabell adjourned the hearing to a later date and ruled that Timur Cihantimur should remain in custody. The date for the third hearing has not yet been announced.

Speaking on behalf of the Aci family after the hearing, Esat Gök, founder of the Turks in Boston Association, said, "I continue to follow the case closely on behalf of the family. I spoke with the prosecutor and the lawyers for the detained Timur Cihantimur. The lawyers' primary request is for him to be moved to a juvenile detention center within Massachusetts with better conditions. According to the lawyers, this process will take months, and they stated that they believe the place where he is currently staying will damage his psychology. The prosecutor for the case, however, stated that the current facility is more than adequate for his needs and that he should remain under these conditions. I will continue to follow the file here on behalf of the family until the end."

EYLEM TOK TO APPEAR IN COURT ON JUNE 27

Eylem Tok, who is being tried in the same case as her son Timur Cihantimur, will appear in court for the second time on June 27.

WHAT HAPPENED?

On March 1, at approximately 23:50 in Istanbul's Eyüpsultan district, 29-year-old Oğuz Murat Aci lost his life and several others were injured when Timur Cihantimur, while driving a luxury car, struck three ATV-type vehicles parked on the side of the road due to a breakdown. Following the accident, the unlicensed driver Timur Cihantimur was taken by his mother Eylem Tok first to Egypt and then to the US. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, which launched an investigation into the incident, issued an arrest warrant for mother Eylem Tok for "aiding and abetting a criminal" and for Timur Cihantimur for "causing death and injury by negligence" after it was determined they had flown from Istanbul to Egypt on March 2 at approximately 03:50, and requested the issuance of a red notice for them. Turkey requested the extradition of the mother and son from the US last month. Timur Cihantimur and Eylem Tok were apprehended by police in Boston, US, on Friday, June 14.