Prison sentences for defendants in the Onur Şener murder case

The Ankara Regional Court of Justice 1st Criminal Chamber has delivered its verdict in the case against two defendants regarding the attack at an entertainment venue in Ankara that resulted in the death of musician Onur Şener. While the detained defendants, Ali Gündüz and Semih Soyalp, attended the hearing via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS), Onur Şener’s family and their lawyers were present in the courtroom.

In his defense, defendant Ali Gündüz stated that he had fallen to the ground during the scuffle and that Onur Şener was still alive at that time, saying, "My shoulder was broken. The incident occurred while I was on the ground. This has also been established by the court's decision. I was only trying to protect my wife during the incident; I am sincerely sorry."

Defendant Semih Soyalp stated that he had not changed his testimony since the first day. "I did not strike the victim in the incident. This is not mentioned in the forensic report either. The incident developed suddenly; I intervened to break it up. I request my acquittal," he said.

While the victim's father, Erhan Şener, demanded that the defendants be punished as severely as possible, his sister, Pınar Şener, expressed her feelings by saying, "I think there is a very pure evil here. Defendant Semih washed his hands and changed his clothes while Onur was covered in blood. My brother has been in the ground for 3 years, and I want them to receive the punishment they deserve."

DEMANDS OF THE FAMILY AND LAWYERS

Onur Şener’s mother, Leyla Şener, said, "I want my son. Let them bring my son back and not receive a sentence; they left his child fatherless. I demand that the heaviest sentence be given." Family lawyer Meltem Banko stated that the defendants did not merely facilitate the killing but were directly involved in physical intervention and actively contributed to the commission of the crime. Banko added, "We reiterate our demand that the defendants be punished to the maximum extent for the crime of intentional homicide and that no reduction for unjust provocation be applied."

The prosecution, in its final opinion, requested that the defendants be punished for "aiding and abetting intentional homicide" and that their detention continue. When asked for their final words, the defendants requested acquittal.

According to the verdict announced by the court panel, Ali Gündüz was sentenced to 9 years, 4 months, and 15 days in prison for "aiding and abetting intentional homicide." Semih Soyalp was sentenced to 7 years, 9 months, and 22 days in prison after a discretionary reduction was applied. The court decided that both defendants would remain in custody.