Liquor store murder trial: Court announces sentences for defendants

The trial of 10 defendants regarding the liquor store murder in Esenyurt on July 28, 2023, in which Yunus Emre Erzen and Batuhan Bayındır lost their lives, has been concluded.

The detained defendants attended the hearing held at the Bakırköy 2nd High Criminal Court via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

Complainants Solmaz Erzen, Cantürk Erzen, and Mehmet Erzen, who is detained for another crime, as well as the lawyers for the parties, were present in the courtroom.

"THEY CAME TO COMMIT MURDER"

During the hearing, Mehmet Erzen, the complainant and brother of Yunus Emre Erzen who lost his life in the attack, gave a statement. In his statement, Erzen said, "This incident did not happen in one day; it has a history. The other side sprayed my shop with bullets, then I sprayed their shop. They did these things to kill us. They were talking around that they would raid the liquor store. They were always spraying my shop, and I was shooting at those who came, but my brother was not like me; he had nothing to do with these matters. They came there to commit murder. My own brother died, I would do anything for him, but I am in prison. I am complaining about all of the defendants," he said.

The other complainants who gave statements also stated that they were complainants and demanded that the defendants be punished.

"I DID NOT SHOOT AT HIS HEAD, I SHOT AT HIS FEET"

Detained defendant Tarık Özer said in his defense, "The action I took was purely instinctive. I was trying to defend my son, my brother, and myself. I had no intention to kill; I just wanted to break his resistance and take the gun from his hand. I did not kill Batuhan Bayındır; whoever killed him should come forward. Do not give me a sentence for a person I did not kill. Think of a father, a brother. What would you do if you were in my place? What father would allow his son or brother to be killed? I apologize to the victim's family for the incident. I intervened in this way to save our own lives. I did not shoot at his head; if I wanted to kill, I would have done that. I shot at his feet. I am not a person who would kill someone. Everyone's life was ruined for nothing. When a gun appeared, I lost my senses. I protected my brother, myself, and my son," he said.

"I AM VERY SORRY AND REGRETFUL"

Detained defendant Azat Özer said in his defense, "On the day the incident occurred, I was called by my father and uncle. I don't even know Cantürk and Yunus Emre Erzen. When we arrived at the scene, a fight broke out suddenly. I don't even remember what happened. I did not shoot in any way. I am very sorry and regretful about the incident. We could not have predicted that things would come to this. If we hadn't intervened, my uncle would have been killed. I request my release and acquittal," he stated in his defense.

"EVEN IF I HAD KISSED HIS HAND, THE RESULT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED"

Stating that there was no problem between him and Cantürk Erzen, detained defendant Murat Özer said, "I have no problem with Cantürk Erzen. I did not commit a crime. Sooner or later, justice will be served, and I will be released. Emre Erzen had prepared his gun that day. Even if I had kissed Emre's hand there, this result would not have changed. I am not using my gun out of good intentions; I am hitting with a bottle so he doesn't take his gun. Emre was not in a calm state of mind at that moment. I was also shot in the foot. I have my own farm, we have chickens here. If there is no one to slaughter a chicken, I cannot even slaughter and eat a chicken. We have been in prison for 21 months. My contribution to the incident here was to save my own life. I have infinite trust in justice," he said.

Detained defendant Servet Özer said in his defense, "I have a different relationship with Cantürk. I had a problem with his son. Neither I nor my brother showed any disrespect towards him. If the bullets had hit me, they would have said the man who intervened died. I am being tried while detained even though I did nothing. If they have any evidence against me, let them say it," he said.

THREW A WATER BOTTLE AT THE DEFENSE LAWYERS

During the hearing, in line with the request of the public prosecutor, complainant Mehmet Erzen was removed from the courtroom on the grounds that he disrupted the order of the hearing. As he was being taken out by the gendarmerie, Erzen reacted by throwing a water bottle at the defendants' lawyers. The defense lawyers requested the acquittal of their clients. When asked for their final words before the verdict on the merits, the defendants requested their acquittal from the court.

2 LIFE SENTENCES FOR 4 DEFENDANTS

Announcing its verdict, the court panel decided to sentence Tarık, Murat, Azat, and Servet Özer to 2 life sentences each for the crime of 'intentional killing' committed against the victims Batuhan Bayındır and Yunus Emre Erzen. The court also sentenced the 4 defendants to 11 years in prison each for the crime of 'attempted intentional killing'. It was also decided that Tarık and Azat Özer be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison for the crime of 'unlicensed carrying and possession of weapons'. The court decided that the other 4 defendants be sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison each for the crime of 'aiding and abetting a criminal'. The court decided to acquit the other defendants of the charges against them.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

The indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office described the incident that took place on July 28, 2023, around 23:20, at the workplace named Baray Tekel-Gold Park Delicatessen on Mehmet Akif Ersoy Street in Esenyurt Güzelyurt Neighborhood. The indictment stated that as a result of the argument and shooting between the parties, Yunus Emre Erzen was wounded by 8 bullets and lost his life, and Batuhan Bayındır was wounded by 2 shots and died. The indictment stated that complainant Yusuf Erzen and suspect Murat Özer were also wounded in various parts of their bodies. The indictment requested that suspects Tarık, Murat, Azat, and Servet Özer be sentenced to 1 aggravated life sentence, 1 life sentence, and 16 years and 6 months to 31 years and 9 months in prison for the crimes of 'intentional killing with premeditation and blood feud motive', 'intentional killing', 'attempted intentional killing with premeditation and blood feud motive', and 'Violation of Law No. 6136'. It was requested that 6 other suspects be sentenced to prison in varying proportions.

News Source: İHA