Bombing Suspect Sentenced to 5,172 Years in Prison
In a retrial involving six defendants for the bombing terror attack in Ankara’s Güvenpark that claimed the lives of 36 people and injured 344, the verdict has been announced. The main suspect, Mehmet Veysi Dolaşan, has been sentenced to 5,172 years in prison.
The horrific attack took place on March 13, 2016, at the Güvenpark bus stops in Kızılay, where a car bomb was detonated. A total of 55 defendants were tried for their involvement in the attack, and on November 21, 2018, the case reached a conclusion. Mehmet Veysi Dolaşan, the prime suspect, was found guilty of killing 36 individuals and disrupting the unity and integrity of the state, leading to 37 aggravated life sentences.
Moreover, for the attempted murder of 344 individuals, Dolaşan was sentenced to 10,260 years in prison. He also received a 16-year prison term and a fine of 200,000 lira for the possession, transportation, and storage of explosives without permission. Co-defendants Sebahattin Karakoç and Azamattin Karakoç were each given aggravated life sentences for disrupting the unity and integrity of the state, along with 16-year prison terms and 200,000 lira fines for illegally possessing, transporting, and storing explosives.
Halil İbrahim Demirer received a 12-year prison sentence, Semih Yürek 10 years and 6 months, and Velat Cin 9 years for membership in an armed terrorist organization. Suphi Akbaş was sentenced to 8 years for financing terrorism through providing funds to an armed terrorist group. Neval Basut and Uğur Ayçil were each sentenced to 3 years in prison for making terrorist propaganda. The cases against deceased defendants Hülya Eroğlu, Murat Üçer, and Şerif Başboğa were dropped during the trial. The court also decided to separate the cases of 36 defendants, including high-ranking members of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.
However, on February 14, 2024, the Court of Cassation’s 3rd Criminal Chamber overturned the sentences of six defendants, including Dolaşan. The court found that while Dolaşan played a role in facilitating the actions of another individual, Seher Çağla Demir, in carrying out the attack in Ankara, he was not present at the scene when the explosion occurred. As a result, Dolaşan was charged with 36 counts of aiding and abetting intentional murder and 341 counts of aiding and abetting attempted murder.
Retrial and Sentencing
Following the Court of Cassation’s decision to overturn the sentences of the six defendants, including Mehmet Veysi Dolaşan, a retrial for the Güvenpark bombing case commenced. During the hearing at the Ankara 4th Heavy Penal Court, the defendants denied the charges brought against them. The court sentenced Mehmet Veysi Dolaşan to 960 years for aiding and abetting murder of 32 individuals, 120 years for aiding and abetting murder of 4 children, 384 years for aiding and abetting attempted murder of 32 children, and 3,708 years for aiding and abetting attempted murder of 309 individuals. Consequently, Dolaşan was sentenced to a total of 5,172 years in prison.
Velat Cin was sentenced to 12 years for membership in an armed terrorist organization, while Neval Basut received a 1-year and 6-month prison term for making terrorist propaganda. Rıdvan Tekin was acquitted of the charge of hijacking or kidnapping vehicles, and the cases of Halil İbrahim Demirci and Uğur Ayçil were separated.
Criticism of the Trial
Gökçe Gökçen, Deputy Chairman of the CHP, expressed criticism of the Güvenpark Bombing Trial for failing to prosecute any public officials. Gökçen highlighted the lack of investigation or trial for any government officials, stating, “No investigation permission has been granted for any public official, and no public official has been prosecuted.” The absence of accountability for government officials in such cases raises concerns about justice and transparency in the legal system.
