Supreme Court sets precedent in femicide case
The Supreme Court has made a groundbreaking decision in a femicide case that occurred in the Yunusemre district of Manisa in December 2020. The defendant, Ferhat İnne, was accused of shooting and killing Canan Çeviren after an argument escalated between the two. Following his arrest, İnne appealed the court decision that found him guilty and called for a reconsideration of the sentence.
The İzmir Regional Court’s 1st Criminal Division upheld the district court’s previous judgment, but İnne then appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. In a unanimous ruling, the Court of Cassation reversed the initial verdict, finding the justification for İnne’s sentence to be “insufficient” and calling for a “reason for discretionary reduction.”
The Supreme Court highlighted a number of factors in its reasoning, including the fact that İnne did not leave the scene of the crime and promptly called for emergency services. The court also took into account his clean criminal record, as well as his positive demeanor during the proceedings and the support of his friends and family.
The defendant claimed that his actions were the result of constant threats from Çeviren, with whom he had a love affair, and that he had been pushed to a point of depression. The Supreme Court’s decision was a major victory for those advocating for stronger punishments for male violence against women in Turkey.
The decision has been hailed as a precedent-setting ruling in Turkey, setting a clear example that even in cases where a defendant pleads self-defense, there must be an adequate justification for their actions. The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on future cases of femicide and violence against women in the country, as judges and prosecutors will be required to take into account a broader range of factors when determining appropriate sentences.
