The trial of the detained teacher, against whom a lawsuit was filed demanding a prison sentence of up to 2 years and 3 months for allegedly committing violence against a 5-year-old child with "atypical autism" in a municipal center in Mersin, continued.
The defendant S.P.C., who was arrested on April 21 for allegedly committing violence against K.Y., who was diagnosed with atypical autism, attended the hearing at the Mersin 25th Criminal Court of First Instance. attended.
Defense lawyers, including K.Y.'s family, the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Mersin Bar Association Women's Rights and Children's Rights Center lawyers, were also present in the hearing room.
The judge stated that the expert report, which includes the analysis of the security camera footage of the institution regarding the incident, has not been completed yet.
The defendant S.P.C, who took the floor at the hearing, stated that he has been a teacher for 10 years and said, "I have educated hundreds of children throughout my career. I have never intended to harm a person or an animal. I have never experienced any problems until today. This is the first time I am faced with such a situation. I want to continue my job properly. I request my release." he declared.
K.Y.'s mother, Sermin Y., said, "I still cannot watch those camera recordings. My child is still restless. He has been psychologically disturbed for 1.5 years. When I saw those scratches on his neck, I was sure that he was subjected to violence. I want the defendant to receive the heaviest punishment." he said.
Father Bahaattin Y. claimed that his child was beaten and demanded that the defendant be punished.
The court judge, who also listened to the witness teachers and lawyers, decided to continue the detention of the defendant and postponed the hearing to correct the deficiencies.
After the hearing, K.Y.'s family and relatives and the plaintiff's lawyers made a press statement in front of Mersin Courthouse.
Selim Can Kayışoğlu, one of the lawyers, claimed that K.Y. was subjected to violence by his teacher.
Pointing out that the duty of teaching is sacred, Kayışoğlu said:
"The fact that an educator committed this action against a child with special needs has deeply wounded the conscience of the society and caused justified indignation in the public. It has caused the public to question not only individual responsibility, but also the obligations of the institution regarding supervision, supervision and personnel selection in a center where children with special interests and needs such as autism are entrusted. We will follow the process until the end to ensure that justice is fully served and that no other child experiences similar pain."
Teacher S.P.C, who allegedly used violence against K.Y. at the Metropolitan Municipality Autism Family Counseling Center on April 21, was arrested.
The indictment against the defendant, which was requested by the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to be punished with imprisonment of up to 2 years and 3 months for the crime of "deliberate injury to a person who is physically or mentally unable to defend himself", was accepted by the Mersin 25th Criminal Court of First Instance.