6 people had lost their lives: Reasoned decision announced regarding the Istiklal attacker

On Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court has released a 130-page reasoned decision regarding the bombing that occurred on Sunday, November 13, 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 6 people and the injury of 99 others. 

In the verdict hearing of the case held on April 26 regarding the attack, Ahlam Albashir, who left the bomb, was sentenced to 7 aggravated life sentences and 1,794 years in prison. 

In the reasoned decision, it was noted that defendants Bilal Elhacmaos and Ahlam Albashir were members of YPG/PYD, and that the ultimate goal of the organization was to divide the territory of the Republic of Turkey to establish a so-called independent Kurdistan state on these lands. It was stated that in line with this goal, the organization aimed to disrupt public order, weaken public authority, create chaos in society, pave the way for the politicization and polarization of society through violence, shake trust in the state, and thereby undermine the unity and integrity of the state. 

STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED OFFERS TO ENGAGE IN ESPIONAGE 

In the decision, which explains that the organizational chart of the group's management was determined through work conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department, it was noted that defendant Albashir lived in different places as a result of the civil war in Syria, resided for a long time in the city of Manbij, which is under the control of the YPG/PYD, before coming to Turkey, earned her living by working in cafeteria and patisserie-style businesses, and received offers from YPG/PYD members to work in their favor and engage in espionage. 

PLACED EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL INSIDE HER UNDERWEAR

In the reasoned decision, it was stated that in the package brought by defendant Bilal El Hacmaos, there were white, soft-textured, flour-like explosive materials alongside red women's underwear. It was explained that these undergarments contained special compartments where cables, wire-like objects, and explosive materials could be placed. On the 5th day of their stay in Idlib, Bilal El Hacmaos asked Ahlam to wear the underwear he brought; Albashir placed the materials into the corset and bra she was wearing and wore loose, comfortable clothing that did not hinder her mobility. 

"IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT SHE ACTED IN A COLD-BLOODED MANNER"

The reasoned decision also included the following statements: ''It is understood that the intention, impulse, and moral principle behind defendant Albashir's act was for as many people as possible to lose their lives; that she knew her act would cause many people to lose their lives and that she acted in a cold-blooded manner, willingly, persistently, and unconditionally; that as a result of the act, which was put into execution directly through suitable actions, 99 people did not lose their lives but were injured due to reasons beyond the defendant's control; and that the defendant could not reach her ultimate goal regarding the 99 injured people.'' 

RECONNAISSANCE CONDUCTED FOR 2 MONTHS

In the reasoned decision, which states that defendants Bilal Elhacmos and Ahlam Albashir were sent to Turkey from Syria through illegal means to carry out the act, it was conveyed that the defendants also came to Istanbul through illegal means, conducted reconnaissance and preparations for the act for 2 months, and carried out the act by detonating a bomb on the day of the incident in Taksim, which was determined to be suitable for the act. As a result, 6 people, including 1 child, lost their lives, 99 people were injured in various ways requiring or not requiring simple medical intervention, and material damage occurred in many residences, workplaces, and vehicles. 

In the announced reasoned decision, it was stated that the act targeted defenseless civilian citizens from the beginning, was planned entirely to be carried out against civilian citizens by a person codenamed 'Hacı' who was determined to be an organization leader, and that the escape of the defendants to Europe through illegal means following the act was organized. 

THEY POSTPONED THE ATTACK TO THE NEXT DAY

In the reasoned decision, it was stated that the chemical and other substances that give the bomb its explosive, destructive, and devastating properties and make it ready for detonation were brought by a female organization member whose identity, location, time, and manner of meeting with defendant Bilal could not be determined. It was noted that Bilal completed these materials under the instructions and guidance of the organization leader codenamed 'Hacı', made them ready for explosion, and placed them in the bag. It was recorded that Bilal Elhacmaos and Ahlam Albashir planned to go to Taksim for the attack 1 day before the act, but because the defendants planned to flee abroad, Bilal Elhacmaos changed his mind, saying 'it is late, we will go tomorrow,' and the attack was postponed to November 13. 

In the announced reasoned decision, it was conveyed that Khalil Manja Hussein, Hazni Gölge, and Hüseyin Güneş were responsible for the escape of the primary perpetrators of the attack abroad. It was stated that within the organization established by Hussein, who provided logistical support to the organization in Syria, the escape of Ahlam and Bilal abroad was planned to prevent their capture, that the use of defendant Güneş's residence was planned under the coordination of defendant Hazni Gölge, and that they smuggled the suspects abroad using vehicles with hidden compartments.

News Source: 12punto