Statement from Yılmaz Tunç regarding the release of Veysi Aktaş

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç made statements regarding current issues during a live broadcast he attended.

Speaking about the forest fire investigation and the commission to be established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as part of the new process referred to as a "Terror-Free Turkey," Tunç also responded to the controversy surrounding the release of Veysi Aktaş, who sat next to terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan in the video message where he called on the PKK to lay down its arms. Speaking on NTV, Tunç also signaled a potential regulation regarding Children Driven to Crime (SSÇ).

Announcing that 168 suspects have been detained in connection with forest fires since June 1, Minister Tunç stated that 39 of the suspects have been arrested.

THE RELEASE OF VEYSİ AKTAŞ

Tunç noted the following regarding the release of Veysi Aktaş:

"Veysi Aktaş was not released following any special regulation. The individual had a sentence for killing two PKK members within the PKK terrorist organization on the grounds that they were spying. The conditional release period for this sentence is 30 years. He applied for release after serving 30 years of his sentence, and these applications were rejected many times. He was released after 32 years were completed. He was released after his sentence was served."

DEBATES ON CHILDREN DRIVEN TO CRIME

Minister of Justice Tunç also made statements regarding the age of the suspects in the murder of 15-year-old Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi in Kadıköy and the debates on Children Driven to Crime, signaling a regulation by stating the following:

"COULD 16-18 BE A NEW CATEGORY? ALL THESE ARE BEING DISCUSSED"

"Ahmet Minguzzi was a bright child of ours. His murder in that manner deeply shook us all. As soon as we heard about the incident, we mobilized our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and an investigation began immediately. I called the family right away and spoke with his mother. 

We expressed to them that this investigation would be followed to the end and that the independent and impartial judiciary would hold those responsible accountable. Afterward, our President received the family. 

The family had requests regarding this matter. They had requests for action to be taken if there is anything that needs to be done regarding future incidents involving Children Driven to Crime. 

Work has been done and is being done on this issue. There are some matters we will propose to the TBMM. The issue of the trial of children is important. It is important to protect both Children Driven to Crime (SSÇ) and children who are victims of crime.

Currently, we refer to them as Children Driven to Crime. In our system, children between the ages of 0-12 do not have criminal liability. Special security measures are taken for them. If children between the ages of 12-15 have committed a crime, they are sentenced based on a Forensic Medicine report regarding whether they are capable of understanding the meaning and nature of the act. This sentence is not like that for adults. 

The 15-18 age group has criminal liability. Here, if there is a crime that requires an aggravated life sentence, a prison sentence of up to 24 years is given. 

We are examining other countries to see if a new evaluation can be made regarding the age group. 

Could the 15-18 age group be a new category? Could 16-18 be a new category? All these are topics being discussed. There is no finalized situation; there are proposals. We will evaluate them, prepare our drafts, and present them to the TBMM."

News Source: 12punto