Turkish court reduces life sentence for femicide citing ‘good behavior’

A Turkish court has reduced the life sentence of Abdullah Melih Barış for killing Nurcan Arslan in 2016, citing “good behavior.” The Arslan Family and women’s organizations protested the ruling.

Thursday September 19 2024 02:52 pm

The banner reads, "Özgecan yesterday, Nurcan today. Which 'can' tomorrow?" in reference to Özgecan Aslan, another femicide victim.

Duvar English

The final hearing took place on Sept. 18 in the retrial of Abdullah Melih Barış, who killed Nurcan Arslan on January 30, 2016, in Istanbul after she attempted to end their relationship,.

Barış, the detained defendant, participated via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS), according to reporting by the Anadolu Agency (AA).

Arslan’s family and their lawyers were present at the hearing. Gülcan Arslan, the victim’s sister, called for the maximum sentence, expressing the immense suffering her family had endured.

Barış, citing the nine years he had already spent in prison, requested his release.

The court sentenced Barış to life imprisonment for second degree murder, however, it reduced the sentence to 25 years due to “good behavior.”

Upon hearing the verdict, Arslan's family members had emotional breakdowns. Gülcan Arslan, in distress, said, "What am I going to tell Nurcan at her grave?" and struck the walls.

After the hearing, attorney Sezin Uçar commented, "The Top Appelate Court (Yargıtay) overturned the decision of 'premeditated murder,' stating that there was no planning involved. Today, we faced the outcome of that decision. The Heavy Penal Court sentenced the defendant only for 'intentional murder.'"

On April 12, 2018, the Bakırköy 13th Heavy Penal Court had initially sentenced Barış to aggravated life imprisonment for "premeditated murder," later reducing it to life imprisonment due to good behavior. The court also sentenced him to one year and eight months in prison and a 1,000-lira fine for carrying an unlicensed firearm.

The Supreme Court’s 1st Criminal Chamber overturned the local court's decision, stating that Barış should have been convicted of "intentional murder," arguing that the initial ruling was based on erroneous and insufficient reasoning.