Death Penalty Is Not Solution, Says Özgecan’S Father

- The father of Özgecan Aslan, a 20-year-old student who was brutally killed in southern Turkey, said the death sentence was not the solution, even if it seems like a deterrent, following the debates over increasing the penalties for such crimes.

“[The death penalty] may return to dissuade [from committing crimes] but it is not a solution. Every person’s conscience would be their gendarmerie. People should learn to control themselves. Let’s surrender to the good while there is still peace” Mehmet Aslan said, reported by daily Cumhuriyet.

“Our only demand is justice being served” he added.

Songül Aslan, Özgecan’s mother, demanded those who were responsible for the death of her daughter serve the sentence they deserved.

The common awareness that erupted after Özgecan’s death might save the lives of many other women, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said, praising her father’s reaction. Davutoğlu added that a new action plan against violence against women would be prepared.

Meanwhile, the mother of murderer 26-year-old Ahmet Suphi Altındöken, Naciye Tan, said she shared the sorrow of Özgecan’s family, adding she was also subjected to violence from Altındöken’s father and could not protect her son from what he became.

“No child is born a murderer, thief or terrorist. Everyone is born an angel. There are many facts behind what turned him into this” Tan said.

“I could not protect my child. His father tended to violence. We have been separated for years. I did not want our children to be raised with their father. I was subjected to violence from my husband, but could not tell anyone” she said.

“I know my son doesn’t have the right to kill someone. I could never accept that. I haven’t seen him after this incident” she added, saying that she was not speaking to defend her son.

Tan also said she wanted to meet with Özgecan’s family, adding that she also has a daughter.

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