The Newborn Gang Faces Court for the First Time in Turkey

A gang that killed over 10 babies in the ICU in Turkey has been arrested and faced court for the first time a couple of days ago. Currently, 22 people out of 47 are on trial. 

The gang was first reported in March 2023. After an investigation led by the Financial Crimes Combat Department in Istanbul, the gang’s actions in the ICUs of many hospitals were revealed. 

In the report prepared by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department, the organization is accused of crimes under five separate categories:

• Establishing an organization to commit crimes, being a member of the organization, and conducting activities on behalf of the organization.

• Manslaughter committed through negligent actions (referencing infant deaths).

• Aggravated fraud (unlawful payments obtained through the Social Security Institution).

• Forgery of official documents

• Bribery

The hospitals that took place of these crimes have been shut down by the Ministry of Health. A 1399-page indictment was prepared for the 22 out of 47 gang members. 

The indictment requests that defendants Fırat Sarı and İlker Gönen be sentenced to a total of 177 years and 6 months to 582 years and 9 months in prison for charges including 10 counts of "manslaughter through negligent actions," "aggravated fraud," "establishing an organization for criminal purposes," and 11 counts of "forgery of official documents."

For defendant Gıyasettin Mert Özdemir, the indictment requests a prison sentence ranging from 180 years to 589 years and 9 months for charges including "manslaughter through negligent actions," "illegal acquisition of personal data," "fraud to the detriment of public institutions," "establishing an organization for criminal purposes," and "forgery of official documents."