It was claimed that İlker Gönen, the number two of the 'Newborn Gang', committed suicide! The suicide note and the glass cup detail

Doctor İlker Gönen, who was part of the newborn gang accused of causing the deaths of emergency infant patients in Istanbul by transferring them to the neonatal units of private hospitals they had agreements with, committed suicide in the prison where he was being held in Antalya. Prison authorities stated that Gönen had been moved to a single-person cell at his own request and had shown no suicidal tendencies.

They emphasized that the glass cup Gönen used to commit suicide was purchased from the canteen and that all items were in compliance with regulations.

MOVED TO A SINGLE-PERSON CELL AT HIS OWN REQUEST

Speaking to Hürriyet, prosecution and prison authorities emphasized that Gönen had been moved to a single-person cell at his own request and that no suicidal tendencies were observed in the reports prepared by the psychosocial service during this process.

LEFT A NOTE FOR HIS FAMILY

Stating that all items in the room where Gönen stayed were in compliance with regulations, the authorities provided the following information:

“The detainee had purchased a glass cup from the canteen, again in accordance with regulations. He then wrote a private note addressed to his family and cut his left wrist with this cup. He did not have the opportunity to cut his other wrist. Rapid intervention was performed after the incident. A routine investigation was launched after the death. However, the claim that a separate investigation was launched against prison staff due to the glass cup, as alleged, is completely untrue. Because every item in the detainee's room is in compliance with regulations. These people live, eat, and drink in the wards. There are glass cups as well as other kitchen utensils. Furthermore, there are cameras everywhere in the prison. Despite this, the person's lawyer is bringing up a 'rope' claim. If there was such a thing, why is there no complaint? Whereas one can file a complaint directly without dealing with the institution's administration. These are claims that are contrary to the ordinary flow of life. For this reason, an investigation has already been launched against the lawyer in question.”

WHAT IS THE ILKER GÖNEN CASE?

A lawsuit was filed by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against 47 defendants regarding individuals alleged to have caused the deaths of emergency infant patients in Istanbul by transferring them to the neonatal units of private hospitals they had pre-arranged with, and to have gained unfair profit.

In the indictment prepared against the criminal organization led by defendant doctor Fırat Sarı, it was stated that the defendant İlker Gönen, who was arrested during the investigation phase, was one of the defendants who managed and directed the organization.

In the indictment, for the defendants Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen, a total prison sentence ranging from 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months was requested, to be applied 10 times for the crime of "causing death by negligent conduct" due to the death of 10 babies, and 11 times for the crime of "forgery of official documents," in addition to "establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes."

The Bakırköy 22nd High Criminal Court, in the last hearing held on January 14, decided to continue the detention of 26 defendants, including defendant Gönen, and adjourned the hearing to February 18.

İlker Gönen, who was held in a single-person cell at the Antalya High-Security Closed Penal Execution Institution, ended his life on the morning of February 1 by leaving a suicide note.

The Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation into Gönen's suicide.