İskeçe Court sentences police officer to 4 years, 10 months over death of 19-year-old Ayşe Kadri

A police officer has been sentenced to 4 years and 10 months in prison by the İskeçe Court for causing the death of 19-year-old Ayşe Kadri, who was fatally struck by a police vehicle in December 2023.

Following the verdict, the officer, through his lawyers, filed an appeal, moving the case to the Court of Appeals.

Emotional courtroom scenes

The Kadri family was represented by lawyers Yannis Barkas and Mihalis Paterakis, while the police officer was defended by Stergios Yalaoglu and Aleksandros Yalaoglu.

The trial unfolded in a tense atmosphere, with the court reviewing the evidence before delivering the guilty verdict. Family members of Kadri, present in the courtroom, broke down in tears as the ruling was read.

Public support and calls for justice

Ahead of the hearing, Kadri’s family, relatives, and fellow villagers gathered outside the courthouse demanding justice. They were joined by supporters from different parts of İskeçe, including university students.

Among those present were Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of İskeçe and head of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board, MP Burhan Baran, Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Association of Higher Education Graduates of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, Kerem Abdurahimoğlu, President of the İskeçe Turkish Union, and Ozan Ahmetoğlu, head of the Minority Middle and High School Board, along with many community members.

Greek organizations also expressed solidarity. The İskeçe Dormitory Students’ Association, the İskeçe Women’s Association, and the İskeçe Private and Commercial Workers’ Union carried banners reading: “Justice for Ayşe – This crime must not be covered up. We will be Ayşe’s voice.”

Case still ongoing

As previously reported by Millet Newspaper, the initial trial had been postponed. The recent ruling has drawn significant attention in Western Thrace, but the officer’s appeal will extend the judicial process before a final decision is reached.

Kadri’s relatives stressed that, even two years after her death, they remain committed to their fight for justice.