Breaking news… A decision has been made in the bomb attack case on Istiklal Street! 7 times aggravated life imprisonment

Some of the detained defendants, including Ahlam Albashir, came to the courtroom and some attended the hearing at the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBIS). The defendant’s lawyers were also present at the hearing.

“I ACCEPT THE PUNISHMENT THAT WILL BE GIVEN TO ME”

The defendant Ahlam Albashir, whose last words were asked at the hearing, said: “I will not defend myself, I accept any sentence you give me. I accept the punishment to be given for the explosion and the deaths. Ammar Jarkes does not know anything, he knew that my family was dead. Ahmad Haj Hasan’s “I stayed at his house for three days, we met at the workshop where I worked. He helped me because I was a woman and he knew I had no one. I only saw Ferhat and Fatma at home. I want to talk to Mr. President privately.” The other defendants also denied the accusations and requested their acquittal.

INDICTMENT

In the indictment prepared by the Terrorism and Organized Crimes Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, it is stated that the bomb attack on Taksim Istiklal Street on November 13, 2022 was planned and carried out by the Syrian extension of the PKK/KCK armed terrorist organization, YPG/PYD/SDG. It is stated that as a result of the attack, child Ecrin Meydan, her father Yusuf Meydan, Adem Topkara and his wife Mukaddes Elif Topkara, Arzu Özsoy and her daughter Yağmur Uçar died, 99 people were injured and many workplaces suffered material damage.

Syrian national Ahlam Albashir, who left the bag containing a handmade bomb, was caught and detained on November 14, 2022, and the defendants Ahlam Albashir and Bilal Elhacmaos, who are alleged to be special intelligence officers of the YPG/PYD terrorist organization, were accused of disrupting public order, weakening the authority, creating chaos and mayhem. It is stated that they were subjected to special training and instructions by the organization and sent to Turkey accompanied by explosive materials, in order to achieve the aim of disrupting the unity and integrity of the state.

CRIMINAL REQUESTS

In the indictment, 7 aggravated life sentences and 1,949 years and 6 months to 3,09 years in prison are requested for Ahlam Albashir, the suspect who planted the bomb. Other suspects, including fugitive organization ringleader Cemil Bayık, are being asked for 7 aggravated life sentences and up to 3,016 years and 6 months in prison. In the indictment, it is stated about the 36 defendants who committed the act: “Breaking the Unity of the State and Territorial Integrity, Establishing or Leading an Armed Terrorist Organization, Being a Member of an Armed Terrorist Organization, Premeditated Murder of a Child by Bombing, Premeditated Murder by Bombing, Attempted Murder by Premeditated Bombing.” They are asked to be punished for the crimes of “Possession of Dangerous Substances Without Permission or Changing Hands of Dangerous Substances, Immigrant Smuggling”. At the hearing held on February 12, the prosecutor requested that Ahlam Albashir be punished as in the indictment, acquittal for 5 defendants and punishment for 20 defendants.