24/05/2024 | Writer: Oğulcan Özgenç
The second hearing of the Derin S. case took place yesterday, on May 23th. During the proceedings, the prosecutor presented their final opinion, requesting a sentence for the defendant. Following deliberation, the court opted to prolong the defendant’s detention. The next hearing is scheduled for July 2, with the case remaining ongoing.
Photograph: Eylem Esen Arabacı
The second hearing of the Derin S. case took place yesterday, on May 23th at the 36th Ankara Heavy Penal Court. Pink Life Association, May 17 Association and the Ankara Bar Association LGBTI+ Rights Center followed the case. During the trial, Derin S.’s family was present in the courtroom. Upon the defendant's arrival, they reacted by stating, "The suit you are wearing will not save you” referring to the discretionary mitigation applied by the court.
During the trial, the presiding judge announced that the camera recordings and 112 call records, previously requested by the court, had been successfully entered into the case file. Following this update, the prosecutor proceeded to deliver their final opinion. They highlighted that Derin S. had sustained five stab wounds, with one of them identified as fatal according to forensic medicine reports.
Based on the evidence presented, including the defendant’s statements, witness testimonies, and official reports in the case file, the prosecutor urged the court to convict Ali Tanyeri for “intentional killing” and to uphold his detention. However, the prosecutor recommended the acquittal of Ali Tanyeri on the charge of “violation of immunity of residence”.
“The defendant’s statements consistently shifted blame onto the victim”
During the trial, plaintiff lawyer İlayda Doğa Karaman emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that they seek the maximum punishment for the defendant, Ali Tanyeri. Karaman asserted that the charge of “intentional killing” was firmly established, highlighting that the defendant’s statements consistently shifted blame onto the victim without presenting substantiated evidence.
In response, defendant Ali Tanyeri expressed remorse, stating, “I regret it.” Meanwhile, Tanyeri’s defense lawyer requested additional time to prepare a defense against the final opinion presented by the prosecutor.
The court decided to extend Ali Tanyeri’s detention, granting the defense lawyer’s request for more time to formulate a response to the prosecutor’s final opinion. The next hearing is scheduled for July 2 at 10:30 am.
What happened?
Derin S. was killed in her Ankara home with four stab wounds in her back. After Derin S.’s murder, Pink Life Association’s legal advisor, lawyer Evrim Demirtaş, contacted the homicide department to find out the details of the incident. However she was not able to get any information, so the general coordinator of Pink Life Association, her lawyer and Derin’s friends went to the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institution and followed up the case. After the procedures at the Ankara Forensic Medicine Institution, Derin S.’s body was received by her family and buried in Kırıkkale.
The first trial regarding the murder of trans woman Derin S., who was slaughtered last year, was heard at the 36th Ankara Heavy Penal Court. Tanyeri claimed that Derin S. was injured during a scuffle, expressing remorse by stating, “I regret it, my intention was not to kill.”
Tags: human rights
