Man accused of assaulting disabled man rearrested after security footage emerges

A 19-year-old man accused of beating a hearing- and speech-impaired man in Kozan was detained again after security camera footage emerged, despite having initially been released.

The incident occurred on Sept. 2, when 55-year-old Muhammed Sonbaş came to Kozan from Suçatı neighborhood in Feke district to shop. After returning home, his family noticed bruises on his face and around his eyes and took him to hospital. Doctors issued a medical report documenting the assault before discharging him.

Following the family’s complaint, the Kozan Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation. Police caught the suspect, identified by the initials C.D., on Feke Avenue in the Türkeli neighborhood. He was released after giving a statement, but investigators detained him again after reviewing security footage from a local business.

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My brother is responsible for protecting us. Everyone has a mother, a sibling and a child. I want what is necessary to be done.

The footage reportedly shows Sonbaş standing by the roadside with shopping bags. C.D. then arrives by car, approaches him and assaults him. The suspect’s sister, İ.D., told reporters outside the courthouse that Sonbaş had allegedly been near their home and had made gestures toward the family, including blowing kisses, waving, smiling and winking. She said she noticed him taking photographs and called her brother after bringing her siblings inside.

İ.D. said her brother asked Sonbaş to hand over his phone, but that he refused, leading to a scuffle before Sonbaş left. She defended her brother’s intervention, saying, "My brother is responsible for protecting us. Everyone has a mother, a sibling and a child. I want what is necessary to be done." While being taken to court, C.D. shouted, "Call it an honor case. They set their sights on my honor, so I hit him." His court proceedings were continuing.

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Call it an honor case. They set their sights on my honor, so I hit him.