Ankara 11th High Criminal Court gave its final verdict in the murder case of motorbike driver Samet Özgül.
Ankara 11th High Criminal Court approved the sentences given to the defendants in the case related to the murder of motorcurier Samet Özgül. Halil İbrahim Demirci was sentenced to life imprisonment, while other defendants Mustafa Demirci and Bülent Açıkgöz were sentenced to 12 years each.
Retrial Ordered in the Case
The case regarding the death of Samet Özgül was retried after the Court of Appeal accepted the appeals against the local court’s decision. The first hearing of the retrial was held at Ankara 11th High Criminal Court. Samet Özgül’s family, CHP Ankara MP Onur Konuralp and many motorcyclists attended the hearing.
Prosecutor’s Opinion and Last Words of the Defendants
In his final opinion, the prosecutor demanded life imprisonment for Halil İbrahim Demirci, while the other defendants Mustafa Demirci and Bülent Açıkgöz were acquitted. Defendant Halil İbrahim Demirci expressed his regret in his last words and demanded acquittal.
Court Decision
The court sentenced Halil İbrahim Demirci to life imprisonment for “intentional homicide” and Mustafa Demirci and Bülent Açıkgöz to 12 years each for “aiding intentional homicide”. This decision reiterated the court’s previous ruling.
Family and Lawyers’ Statements
Making a statement in front of the courthouse after the verdict, lawyer İbrahim Kapusuz said that after the court upheld the initial verdict, they hoped that the appeals chamber would uphold the verdict and ease the family’s pain to some extent.
Samet Özgül’s sister Berna Özgül said that justice has been served but the struggle will continue: “We will continue our struggle as a family until justice is fully served and this case becomes a precedent.”
CHP Ankara MP Okan Konuralp said, “The decision taken here today will not bring our brother Samet back. However, it is a decision that will alleviate the pain in the heart of this beautiful family in terms of justice being served.”
What Happened?
On the night of November 5, 2022, Samet Özgül, a student of Gazi University’s History Department and a motorcyclist, was beaten and stabbed in the throat by three people he had been arguing with while riding his motorcycle in Ankara’s Etlik district. Özgül, who was hospitalized, lost his life. Halil İbrahim Demirci, Mustafa Demirci and Bülent Açıkgöz were detained after the incident. In the first trial, Halil İbrahim Demirci was sentenced to life imprisonment, Mustafa Demirci and Bülent Açıkgöz to 12 years each. However, the court of appeal overturned the verdict and ordered a retrial.
With this decision, the court upheld the initial sentences and announced its reasoned decision.
