Yılbaş’s Murder Suspect Claims Insanity

The third hearing of intern doctor Ayşe Yılbaş’ murder by his husband petty officer Hüseyin Güneş Özmen was held at Istanbul’s 4th High Criminal Court. The next hearing will be on September 12.

The court refused the demand by the Women’s Human Rights – New Solutions Association (KİHEP) to join the trial on the side of the victim.

Özmen’s lawyer made the claim during the trial that his client was not stable mentally when he murdered his wife. Victim’s lawyers counteracted the claim by asking how then he could perform his military duty in this condition.

The judge sent Özmen to psychological evaluation by the Judicial Medicine Institution.

According to the information given by lawyer Yasemin Öz to Bianet, the decision by the Judicial Medicine Institution will affect the outcome of the case.

“Yılbaş case is not an ‘isolated’ case”

Ece Kocabıçak, who identifies herself as a feminist, explained the significance of joining the trial process:

“Violence against woman is on the rise. Man’s domination over woman’s labor and body is increasing. The state, on the other hand, is making laws that encourage and support this trend.

“Especially the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has made arrangements during its rule, which reinforced male violence. The Galata Bridge decision and the arrangement regarding the public health insurance (SSGSS) are some examples. This is why we, the women’s organizations, asked to be part of the trial process.”  

Asserting that what happened to Yılbaş was not an isolated event, Kocabıçak said, “This process was about all the women and therefore they want to see the outcome of the trial.

What happened at the first hearing? 

Lawyer Funda Ekin told Bianet the following: “We entered the courtroom with the proxy we secured from the family. The murderer was untroubled as before. We do not know why, perhaps because he is an ex-intelligence officer, he conducted his own defense in spite of his lawyers. He asked questions.” 

Intern doctor Yılbaş was killed by her husband Petty Officer sergeant major Özmen on February 22 by being shot 12 times. 

The court refused the previous demand by the women’s organizations on the grounds that they were not harmed in this incident.   

(BÇ/EZÖ/TB)