Lawyer appeals sentences of policemen convicted in Korkmaz killing
ISTANBUL
DHA Photo
The lawyer for two police officers who were convicted of killing of 19-year-old Gezi protester Ali İsmail Korkmaz has appealed a court decision that sentenced them to 10 years in prison.The lawyer reportedly submitted a petition to the Supreme Court of Appeals on Jan. 23, demanding a reversal of the judgment and the release of the officers, according to Hürriyet.
Meanwhile, the Kayseri Public Prosecutor’s Office has refuted reports that the prosecutor in charge in the case also appealed the court decision and demanded the officers be sentenced to aggravated life sentences, Doğan News Agency has reported.
Mevlüt Saldoğan, who had been facing life in prison for premeditated murder according to the indictment prepared by prosecutor Mehmet Kalkan, was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in jail for “causing the death” of Korkmaz, who was beaten to death by a group of officers and civilians in the Central Anatolian province of Eskişehir during the 2013 Gezi protests. The court also ordered the arrest of another officer, Yalçın Akbulut, after sentencing him to 10 years in prison, with a two year reduction in his sentence for good behavior.
Kalkan has been away from his office since the trial ended on Jan. 21 and was set to return on Jan. 26, the Kayseri chief public prosecutor said, adding that there was no appeal document delivered to the Kayseri 3rd High Criminal Court that gave the verdict.
Ali Korkmaz’s brother, lawyer Gürkan Korkmaz, confirmed they learned that the prosecutor did not appeal the verdict, adding that the Korkmaz family would submit a petition to the Supreme Court of Appeals in order to appeal the lenient sentences.
The court verdict drew fury from the victim’s family and lawyers, who were expecting much stiffer sentences.
Saldoğan could be granted probation as early as March 2019, on the basis that he has already been under arrest for 18 months. Likewise, Akbulut could be released in six years and two months.
