Two Defendants Sentenced to Aggravated Life Imprisonment for Abusing, Killing Child

Click to read the article in Turkish

Two men have been sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for sexually abusing and killing nine-year-old girl Sedanur Güzel. A third defendant in the case has been acquitted.

The incident happened last year in the eastern Kars province. Güzel left home on September 16 to pick fruits but did not come back. Her body was found covered with stones about a kilometer away from her home in Paslı village.

Ertan Bozkurt (37), Ahmet Bilen (34) and Himmet U. (47) were arrested and charged with "deliberate killing," "qualified sexual abuse of a child," and "deprivation of liberty."

For "security reasons," the trial has been held at Yozgat Heavy Penal Court in central Anatolia while suspects have been staying at Diyarbakır No. 2 Type-F Prison. The parties attended the hearings via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS).

Handan and Abdullah Güzel, the parents of the deceased child, requested the "heavies sentence" for the defendants.

Attorney Neslihan Ete, a legal advisor for the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, requested an aggravated life sentence for the defendants.

Announcing its verdict, the court sentenced Bozkurt and Bilen to aggravated life imprisonment for "qualified deliberate killing," 30 years in prison for "sexual abuse," and 9 years in prison for "deprivation of liberty." Himmet U. was acquitted. (AÖ/VK)