Death penalty is not solution, says Özgecan’s father

ISTANBUL

The parents of Özgecan Aslan demand that justice is served. AA Photo

The father of Özgecan Aslan, a 20-year-old student who was brutally killed in southern Turkey, has said a return of capital punishment is not the solution, amid debates over increasing the penalties for such crimes.

“[The death penalty] may return to dissuade [from committing crimes], but it is not a solution ... People should learn to control themselves instead. Let’s surrender to the good while there is still peace,” Mehmet Aslan said on Feb. 16, as reported by daily Cumhuriyet.

“Our only demand is that justice is served,” he added.

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

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has expressed his hope that the "common awareness" that has emerged after Özgecan’s death might save the lives of many other women, praising her father’s reaction. Davutoğlu added that a new action plan against violence against women would be prepared.

Naciye Tan, the mother of Özgecan's murderer, 26-year-old Ahmet Suphi Altındöken, has also said she shared the sorrow of Özgecan’s family, adding that she was also subjected to violence from Altındöken’s father.

“No child is born a murderer, a thief or a terrorist. Everyone is born an angel. There are many things behind what has 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 added.

“I know my son doesn’t have the right to kill someone. I could never accept that. I haven’t seen him since this incident,” Tan said.

She also said that she wanted to meet with Özgecan’s family to express her sorrow, adding that she also has a daughter.

US embassy releases message for Özgecan

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara posted a Tweet on Feb. 18 to express sorrow over the death of Aslan, condemning all acts of violence against women.

"We wish to express our deepest sorrow over the murder of Özgecan Aslan. We strongly condemn this heinous crime and all acts of violence against women around the world," the embassy stated.