Singing contestant briefly breathes on her own, remains on life support
ISTANBUL
AA Photo
Mutlu Kaya, a 19-year-old who was shot in the head allegedly over her decision to join a singing competition, breathed on her own for two hours when doctors temporarily took her off life support on May 27.Kaya has been recovering in the intensive care unit of Gazi Yaşargil Research Hospital in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır. She had been in an induced coma for more than three days when the doctors decided to wake her on May 21.
Speaking to İhlas News Agency, Mutlu’s father, Mehmet Kaya, stated she was re-connected to the life support machines to prevent fatigue.
“My daughter breathed on her own, without any help from machines, for two hours. Doctors re-connected her to life support machines to make sure she does not experience any difficulties,” he said.
Meanwhile, a written statement from the hospital said her overall situation remained unchanged.
“Mutlu Kaya’s vitals are stable. She is connected to a breathing device. She remains unconscious despite being taken off sedation on May 21,” the statement read.
Prime suspect caught
On May 20, the Criminal Magistrate of Peace in Ergani ordered the arrest of Veysi Ercan, reported to be Kaya’s boyfriend, charging him with shooting the young woman.
According to his testimony, Ercan had previously convinced Kaya not to participate in the TV contest titled “O Ses Türkiye” (Turkey’s version of “The Voice”). Kaya, however, later participated in another, less popular TV contest with a similar theme, “Sesi Çok Güzel” (Her Voice Is So Beautiful).
Meanwhile, a police investigation revealed Kaya had filed a complaint against Ercan four months ago on charges of intimidation and threatening.
Police had been trying to locate Ercan, as initial investigations revealed his presence at the crime scene at around 3 a.m., which coincides with the time of the attack.
Rising concerns about violence against women
There has been rising concern in Turkey about acts of violence against women. In 2014 alone, 294 women were killed, with 47 percent of them for wanting to make independent decisions, according to a report by the Stop Women’s Homicides Platform.
According to the platform, the death figure has already reached 91 in Turkey since the start of 2015.