Turkey's Supreme Court has upheld a life sentence for a young man involved in a horrific taxi driver murder and robbery case. He was also sentenced to an additional 17 years and 8 months for theft and illegal possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred in the early hours of February 1, 2025, in the Gazi Osman Pasha district. The perpetrator took a taxi, and during the ride, he drew his pistol and shot the driver, then stole his phone and headphones and fled the scene.
The taxi's camera recorded the incident in detail, showing the perpetrator pretending to withdraw money before firing the shot. The driver is seen collapsing lifelessly onto the seat, followed by the perpetrator searching the car and the driver before escaping. The footage caused widespread outrage on social media after it was shared.
During the investigation, the perpetrator admitted that he had gone out that night intending to commit suicide due to family pressures. However, during the ride, a dispute arose with the driver over the payment method, and the perpetrator's sudden anger led him to draw his pistol and shoot the driver, then rob him.
He added that he tried to contact the driver's daughter to inform her of what happened but did not call emergency services. He also mentioned that he was wearing a mask and headscarf during the incident to avoid "sensitivity" and not to hide his face, and he collected the used casings to conceal evidence.
The perpetrator's identity was quickly identified after reviewing footage from about 70 local surveillance cameras. He was arrested at his home the next day and charged with intentional murder, theft, and illegal possession of a firearm.
The initial court sentenced him to life imprisonment plus an additional 17 years and 8 months. The appellate and supreme courts rejected all appeals from the defense, confirming the legality of the proceedings and the appropriateness of the sentence for the gravity of the crime.
