Ece Erken's lawyer denies finalized sentence amid 'prison and penalty' reports

Turkish television personality Ece Erken has strongly refuted recent media reports suggesting she faces a finalized prison sentence. The controversy is linked to a legal case dating back to 2020, involving an incident where Erken allegedly damaged the car of Benan Kocadereli, the then-wife of Erken's late partner, lawyer Şafak Mahmutyazıcıoğlu.

According to reports, Erken also sent messages to Kocadereli via social media. Kocadereli filed a complaint, leading to charges of "insult" and "property damage" against Erken. A lower court had acquitted Erken of insult charges but ordered her to pay a fine of 30,000 Turkish Lira for property damage.

Erken appealed this decision. Her legal team argued that the case should consider provisions for 'effective remorse' if the damage was compensated. The appellate court overturned the lower court's decision on the property damage charge, sending the case back for a retrial. The court emphasized that Erken should be given time to pay the damages and that her eligibility for 'effective remorse' should be assessed.

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Some press and broadcasting organizations have reported as if there is a finalized conviction against our client Ms. Ece Erken. However, the decision given by the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice is about the reversal of the lower court's ruling, and the file has been sent back to the first instance court for a new trial. Therefore, there is no finalized sentence.

In response to the news, Erken's lawyer released a statement clarifying the situation. "There is no finalized prison sentence or fine," the statement read. It emphasized that the appellate court's decision was to overturn the lower court's ruling and send the case back for a new trial. The lawyer also refuted claims that Erken acted with specific intent to target Kocadereli, stating that the alleged material damage had already been compensated during the proceedings.

The case will now proceed with a new trial at the Istanbul Criminal Court. The reports of a finalized sentence have created a public perception that Erken is facing imminent legal repercussions, which her legal team is actively working to correct.

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Furthermore, the claims that our client acted with specific intent to target the plaintiff, knowing the connection of the vehicle in question to the late Şafak Mahmutyazıcıoğlu, do not reflect the truth. The alleged material damage has already been compensated in the process.