He had staged a protest for children with SMA: Released from custody

The trial of defendant Resul Can Çatı, who blocked traffic on the 15 July Martyrs Bridge in Beşiktaş, Istanbul, on June 14, 2024, with a vehicle marked "SMA," has begun.

The detained defendant Resul Can Çatı and his lawyer were present at the hearing held at the Istanbul 9th Criminal Court of First Instance.

In his defense during the hearing, defendant Çatı stated that he had been saddened by the situation of children with SMA after seeing it in the media, saying, "I carried out such an action to draw attention to this. I did not know the consequences would be like this. I am extremely regretful. My intention was not to endanger traffic safety. I did not act with the intent to commit a crime. I have no connection to any organization. I previously received treatment at a hospital's psychiatry department. The doctor gave me medication to use regularly. Considering the time I have remained in custody, I request my release and acquittal."

"IRRATIONAL ACTIONS"

Defendant Çatı's mother, Gülay Çatı, stated in her testimony as a witness, "I had no idea my son would carry out such an action. He had just started taking medication, and he was sometimes exhibiting irrational behavior at home. We had already consulted a doctor regarding this situation."

During the hearing, the defendant's lawyer stated that his client suffers from bipolar disorder, saying, "This situation occurred because my client had just started using medication. He has expressed his regret in this court. We request his release."

Announcing its interim decision, the court decided to release defendant Resul Can Çatı, taking into account the time he spent in custody and the current state of the evidence, on the condition that he be subject to judicial control in the form of signing in.

WILL RECEIVE A REPORT

The court also decided to write to the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate to request that the institutions where the defendant received treatment be identified and that the files regarding the defendant's treatment be sent to the court. Subsequently, the court ruled that a report be obtained from the Council of Forensic Medicine to determine whether the defendant has criminal liability, and adjourned the hearing to address the deficiencies.