Mother of murdered woman pleads for justice: 'My rosebud was withered'
Translated from Turkish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- Şerife Gezer was fatally shot by Hakan Sayacı in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul.
- Gezer's brother reported that Sayacı had a history of harassing his sister and had a restraining order against him.
- The victim's mother expressed her grief and urged for justice to prevent similar tragedies.
In Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, a violent act has shattered a family and ignited a desperate plea for justice. Şerife Gezer, 41, was walking down the street on Tuesday when Hakan Sayacı, 51, blocked her path and shot her twice, once in the chest and once in the neck. Gezer was rushed to a private hospital, but succumbed to her injuries.
My liver was burned, my rosebud was withered. May other young girls and other women not suffer like this. May other mothers not cry like me.
Police found two bullet casings at the scene. Sayacı, who held a gun to Gezer's head, was apprehended by police after a negotiation. He confessed to the crime and has been arrested.
Gezer's brother, Hasan Hüseyin Gezer, revealed a disturbing pattern of harassment. He stated that Sayacı had been bothering his sister and their family for the past two years, even after Gezer became engaged two months prior. Sayacı had previously confronted Gezer and their father, leading to a restraining order against him.
This man planned this consciously.
"They burned my liver, they withered my rosebud," said Gezer's mother, Sebahat Gezer, her voice heavy with sorrow. "May other young girls and other women not suffer like this. May other mothers not cry like me." Her words echoed the profound pain of a mother who lost her child, a sentiment shared by her son, who buried his sister with his own hands.
I buried my sister with my own hands.
Hasan Hüseyin Gezer expressed disbelief at Sayacı's continued freedom and ability to carry out the attack despite the restraining order. "This man planned this consciously," he stated, recounting how he saw video footage of his sister pleading before being shot. He appealed to the President and the Minister of Justice, imploring them to ensure this case does not go unresolved, so that no other family endures such unbearable pain.
I appeal to our President and our Minister of Justice. May this incident not be left like this. Our lives were burned, may no one else's life be burned.
Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.