Hearing on healthcare insurance scam linked to newborn deaths begins in Turkey

The first hearing in the insurance scam case that scandalized Turkey has begun. The judge denied all requests from civil society organizations, victims' families, political parties, and bar associations to join the case as parties to the prosecution.

Tuesday November 19 2024 05:34 pm

Crowds gather in front of the Istanbul Courthouse before the hearing.

Osman Çaklı / Gazete Duvar

The first hearing for the 47 defendants charged in connection with newborn deaths at a private hospital in Istanbul began on Nov. 19.

Some 22 of the defendants were in custody. Dr. Fırat Sarı, identified as the leader of the criminal organization, and ambulance driver Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir testified regarding the deaths of ten infants. The hearings are scheduled to last five days.

The case drew significant public attention, and many people gathered in front of the courthouse early in the morning. Due to the limited capacity of the courtroom, journalists, some lawyers, and victims’ relatives were not allowed inside. Tensions flared between those attempting to enter and security personnel.

Police take extensive security measures at the courthouse during the hearing.

Turkey Bar Association (TBB) President Erinç Sağkan and Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kabaoğlu attended the hearing and submitted their applications to join the trial. Representatives from bar associations in provinces across Turkey were also present.

A defense lawyer argued against requests from the TBB and affiliated bar associations to be involved in the case.

He stated, “Despite a confidentiality order, we saw the case file on social media. This trial has turned into a personal spectacle. A journalist shared the indictment when I couldn’t even access it. These requests should be denied; otherwise, this will spiral out of control.”

A heated exchange occurred when a lawyer from the Future (Gelecek) Party objected without permission and disrupted the proceedings. The lawyer was escorted out of the courtroom by police for disturbing the order.

The court ruled to reject participation requests from bar associations, political parties, women’s organizations, and other families who lost children but were not included in the case file.

The trial then proceeded with defendant testimonies. Nurse Doğukan Taşçı testified, saying, “Every hospital owner wants to make money. Dr. Fırat Sarı was pressured to make more money.”

Taşçı denied all allegations of causing newborn deaths due to negligence but admitted to illegally selling drugs. He stated, “I sold medications for 600 lira ($17). We sold medications three times, totaling 60 items. My goal wasn’t to defraud the Social Security Institution (SGK). Most of the drugs I sold were leftovers from those given to patients. Otherwise, they would have been thrown away.”

On Nov. 19, the second day of hearings, defendant nurse Hasan Basri Gök took the stand. He confirmed that leader Sarı and İlker Gönen were the leaders of the fraud ring.

He testified, "Fırat Sarı was hiring doctors he personally knew. He managed the transfers without involving 112 (the Health Ministry). That is how they made money off the SGK, two doctors handled it among themselves. And they convinced the families to transfer their babies to their partner private hospitals by warning the ministry would transfer them to state hospitals very far away."

Gök also admitted to overcharging patients for the hospital beds. He said that they gave the extra income they made off the beds to Sarı. When the judge asked if that was standard practice, Gök responded, "This happens in private hospitals. He paid us 400-500 liras ($12-13) for food expenses."

What happened?

According to the allegations, the ring members were following two methods to charge the Social Security Institution (SGK) 8,000 Turkish liras ($233) per day.

Either they kept healthy newborns in the neonatal units of private hospitals they had agreements with, by entering incorrect blood test results into the system to make the babies appear ill, or sick babies were transferred to these private hospitals, which lacked full equipment and necessary medical supplies, instead of fully equipped hospitals.

Dr. Sarı and İlker Gönen face charges of “intentional homicide by omission,” “qualified fraud,” “forming a criminal organization,” and “forgery of official documents.” Prosecutors seek sentences ranging from 177 to 582 years for them.

Driver Özdemir faces charges of “intentional homicide by omission,” “unlawful acquisition of personal data,” “fraud against public institutions,” and “forgery of official documents.” He faces a prison term ranging from 180 to 589 years.

(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)