02/07/2024 | Writer: Oğulcan Özgenç
The final hearing of the Derin S. case was held today, culminating in a verdict. The prosecutor revised his opinion, recognizing the offence as an intentional killing committed against a woman. Defendant Ali Tanyeri was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The case, heard at the 36th Ankara High Criminal Court, was followed closely by the Pink Life Association, the Red Umbrella Association, and the Ankara Bar Association Women’s Rights Center. Derin S.’s family was also present at the trial.
At the hearing, the prosecutor changed his final opinion. Citing the decisions of the Ankara 24th Civil Court of First Instance, the prosecutor’s office noted that Derin S.’s gender on her identity card had been changed. Consequently, the prosecutor revised the final opinion, requesting that the defendant Ali Tanyeri be punished for “the offence of intentional killing committed against a woman.” However, the prosecution also requested the acquittal of the defendant Ali Tanyeri on the charge of “violation of the immunity of the residence.”
Lawyer Evrim Demirtaş, who is following the case, stated that they agree with the final opinion and said, “Even if the gender digit on her ID card has not changed, she should be considered as a woman in accordance with the Constitution and international conventions to which Turkey is a party, and he should be sentenced under Article 82/1-f of the Penal Code of Turkey.”
After the presiding judge gave the floor to Ali Tanyeri, he said, “I regret.” The defense lawyer, on the other hand, claimed that Ali Tanyeri was beaten and that there was a “debt relationship” between Derin S. and Ali Tanyeri, and asked for the application of unjust provocation provisions.
The court sentenced Ali Tanyeri to aggravated life imprisonment for intentional killing against a woman. However, the sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. Unjust provocation provisions were not applied in the verdict.
“This case demonstrated that transgender murders do not go unattended”
Lawyer Evrim Demirtaş evaluated the hearing for KaosGL.org. Demirtaş said the following:
“The prosecution initially charged the defendant with the offence of intentional killing. We presented our statements countering this first opinion, arguing that the crime committed here was against a woman and should be considered as such. Today, the prosecution revised its opinion in accordance with Article 82/1-f of the Penal Code of Turkey and demanded a sentence for the qualified form of the offence of intentional killing committed against a woman. The court issued the sentence accordingly. The court did not apply the provisions on unjust provocation but applied a reducement. This case demonstrated that transgender murders do not go unattended.”
Tags: human rights
