Appeal against sentence for İbrahim Keloğlan, who kicked cat Eros to death, was successful: Court accepts the appeal

The decision regarding İbrahim Keloğlan, who kicked a cat named Eros to death for minutes at a residential complex in Başakşehir, has been overturned by a higher court.

In its ruling, the higher court stated that despite the cat's attempts to escape, the defendant persistently continued his actions, chasing, kicking, and eventually stepping on and crushing the cat to death over a period of approximately 5 minutes.

The court noted that the original decision could create the impression that individuals involved in such incidents are treated with leniency, stating, “It is clear that this could encourage individuals with a tendency toward such acts, as well as undermine the public's trust in the state and the justice system.”

In the incident that occurred on January 1 at a residential complex in Başakşehir, İbrahim Keloğlan caused the death of a cat named Eros by beating it for minutes. Defendant Keloğlan had been sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison by the Küçükçekmece 16th Criminal Court of First Instance. The sentence was reduced to 1 year and 3 months due to good conduct, and the announcement of the verdict was deferred. Attorney Hafize Hilal Koçak from the Istanbul Bar Association Animal Rights Center had appealed the decision.

"CHASING FOR 5 MINUTES..."

Reviewing the file, the Küçükçekmece 4th High Criminal Court stated that the defendant İbrahim Keloğlan had been sentenced under the Animal Protection Law for the crime of "intentionally killing a domestic animal," and that the announcement of the verdict had been deferred. In the footage examined regarding the incident, it was noted that Keloğlan attacked and kicked the cat, which was fed and cared for by residents and the complainant, upon seeing it in the elevator; after the cat escaped the elevator, he followed it, cornered it in the hallway, closed the doors to prevent its escape, and kicked it repeatedly. It was recorded that despite the cat's attempts to escape, the defendant persistently continued his actions, chasing, kicking, and eventually stepping on and crushing the cat to death over a period of approximately 5 minutes.

"CRUEL AND MERCILESS"

The ruling noted that given the weight of the defendant's culpability, the manner in which the crime was committed, and the intensity of his intent during the killing—which he carried out mercilessly and cruelly by persistently chasing the animal for about five minutes—the base sentence should have been determined near the upper limit.

"MAY ENCOURAGE OTHERS"

The ruling stated, “In the event of a disproportionate gap between the crime committed and the sentences given, or if no sentence is given at all, it will remain far from providing a deterrent effect that could prevent such acts.”

It was stated that considering the nature and severity of the defendant's actions, the decision to defer the announcement of the verdict could result in the defendant being effectively exempt from punishment. The ruling noted, “It is clear that this result would create the impression that individuals involved in such incidents are treated with leniency, and could encourage individuals with a tendency toward such acts, as well as undermine the public's trust in the state and the justice system.”

DECISION OVERTURNED

Considering the nature and severity of the defendant's actions, the decision to defer the announcement of the verdict was deemed contrary to procedure and law as it would result in the defendant being exempt from punishment, and the appeal was accepted.

The Küçükçekmece 4th High Criminal Court ruled to overturn the decision of the Küçükçekmece 16th Criminal Court of First Instance.

News Source: İHA