He threatened Atlas Çağlayan's family: His sentence has been announced

The final hearing was held for the case of the defendant who was detained and arrested in Diyarbakır on charges of threatening the family of 17-year-old Atlas Çağlayan, who lost his life after being stabbed during a fight in Güngören, Istanbul. The detained defendant, Muhammed Yusuf Kazıcı (18), attended the hearing at the Bakırköy 15th High Criminal Court via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). The complainant mother, Gülhan Ünlü, the father, Cüneyt Çağlayan, and the lawyers for both parties were present in the courtroom.

"I have no material damage, but I have moral damage on my most painful day"

Testifying at the hearing, mother Gülhan Ünlü said, "At that time, a lot of threatening messages were coming one after another. I immediately forwarded them to the police. The content of the messages is as written in the indictment. The defendant said to me, 'Your son owes me money; if you don't pay, I will kill you within 48 hours.' 15 police vehicles came to our door due to false reports. He didn't know my son. I have no material damage, but I have moral damage on my most painful day."

Father Cüneyt Çağlayan stated in his testimony, "I did not receive a message. I do not know the defendant. No orders, ambulances, or fire trucks came to my address. At that time, I was in contact with my ex-wife due to the events. We heard about the incident later. I have no material damage, but I am a complainant," he said.

Defendant Muhammed Yusuf Kazıcı said, "I did something foolish and I am very sorry. I apologize to the family and everyone very much." When asked for his final statement, the defendant requested his acquittal from the court.

6 years and 8 months in prison

After hearing the defense and statements, the court panel announced its verdict, sentencing the defendant to a total of 6 years and 8 months in prison for the crimes of 'attempted qualified extortion' and 'unlawful acquisition of personal data.' The panel decided to sentence the defendant to 2 months and 15 days in prison for the crime of 'disturbing the peace and tranquility of individuals,' then deferred the announcement of the verdict for this specific charge, and ruled for the continuation of the defendant's detention.

"He will serve the entire sentence"

Speaking to members of the press in front of the courthouse after the hearing, Gülhan Ünlü said, "The defendant said he was sorry. He apologized. During my most painful and difficult days, he sent police, couriers, fire trucks, and ambulances to my home. He threatened the whole family. He asked me for money by saying Atlas owed him. The sentence he received is 6 years and 10 months. He will serve the entire sentence. It is heartless to make such threats and try to hurt us during such a time and in such pain. When we watched the camera footage, there were five perpetrators at the time of the incident; currently, there is only 1 murderer, the other 4 are outside. It is very clear from the camera footage that they were instigators. No action has been taken against them. Our expectation in the first court is in this direction; we are waiting for the law to be passed. We are expecting a precedent-setting decision. We don't want anyone to experience these pains," she said.

"His remaining in prison also creates a deterrent for others"

Stating that the court's decision was satisfactory, complainant lawyer Mehtap Yılmaz said, "The crime of extortion was committed through threats. The sentence given started at 10 years, but it was reduced because the crime remained at the attempt stage. He received 4 years and 2 months for the 'extortion' crime. Apart from that, there is a prison sentence given for the crimes of acquiring personal data and extortion. That started at 2 years, and with aggravating and mitigating factors, the defendant was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison. We hear this all the time; we think the sentence is a deterrent for people who disturb victim families in this way, and it was decided that his detention would continue. Even though the defendant expressed his remorse, sometimes sentences can be more effective. His remaining in prison also creates a deterrent for others," she said.

From the indictment

The indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that on January 29, an individual introduced himself as Muhammed Hüseyin Yıldırım via a WhatsApp number and sent threatening messages to the complainant, Gülhan Ünlü. The indictment stated that the suspect placed multiple food orders to the complainant Ünlü's address, made false reports to the 112 emergency line, and that an investigation was launched upon the detection of this. The cyber investigation report included in the indictment also stated that posts regarding the death of Atlas Çağlayan were made on a social media account.

In the indictment sent to the Bakırköy High Criminal Court, it was requested that the suspect, Muhammed Yusuf Kazıcı, be sentenced to a total of 5 years and 3 months to 19 years and 3 months in prison for 'qualified extortion' and 'disturbing the peace and tranquility of individuals' against Gülhan Ünlü, and for 'chain-linked unlawful acquisition of personal data' against complainants Gülhan Ünlü and Cüneyt Çağlayan, and victims Atlas Çağlayan, Doruk Çağlayan, Ayaz Çağlayan, and Arden Çağlayan.

News Source: İHA