Minor stealing cigarette sentenced to seven years

A minor was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison on charges of stealing a packet of cigarettes, daily Milliyet reported Sunday.

A letter sent by the 13-year-old, identified only by his initials O.G., to a member of the Parliamentary Human Rights Inspection Commission revealed that the minor has been in a prison in the central Anatolian province of Kayseri for two years now.

Ali Rıza Ertemur, a member of the commission, said they would follow the case and that O.G.’s files have been waiting at the Supreme Court of Appeals for two years.

“O.G. is in prison for one packet of cigarettes. Those who commit murder or even terrorists are getting away with lighter punishments. I will not stop following this case,” said Ertemur.

A sub-commission of the parliamentary commission visited the Kayseri İncesu Juvenile’s Prison where O.G. asked for a card from Ertemür. Later on, O.G. wrote a letter to Ertemür saying that the local court’s decision was sent to the Supreme Court of Appeals, but it has failed to discuss his case for two years now.

“What if the Supreme Court of Appeals reverses the local court’s decision? Then, would all this wasted time not be a shame for the child?” asked Ertemür.