Court sentences cat killer to 30 months in prison

The case of Eros, the cat tortured to death by Ibrahim Keloglan, who grew up in Kucukcekmece and lived in the same compound since the age of 6 years old, was heard on March 14 at the Kucukcekmece court.

The public prosecutor, in the indictment, sought punishment and imprisonment for the defendant. Following this, Keloglan was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. However, he was not immediately arrested; instead, a travel ban was imposed on him.

Prior to this ruling, Keloglan had been arrested and subsequently released during a previous trial. In response to the decision, there was significant backlash on social media, and a campaign was launched on "change.org.tr," amassing nearly 250,000 signatures. Additionally, the Istanbul Bar Association Animal Rights Center voiced objections to the verdict.

Considering the nature and severity of the defendant's actions, it was deemed illegal and contrary to procedure and law to allow the defendant to be exempt from punishment by postponing the declaration of the verdict. Therefore, the appeal was accepted.

During the trial, the defendant, Keloglan, stated that he had donated to shelters and distributed cat food after the incident. Citizens and lawyers in the courtroom reacted to this statement.

President Erdogan also reacted to initial court decision

Justice Minister Tunc made the following statement after the initial court decision:

"In the public case opened due to the brutal killing of the cat named Eros in Istanbul Basaksehir, the decision to postpone the declaration of the prison sentence against the defendant has been overturned by the Heavy Penal Court upon the appeal by the Public Prosecutor's Office. The case will be re-heard by the court. The right to life of every living being is sacred. We will continue to stand against any kind of mistreatment towards our animal friends."

Tunc also said that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called him to express his outrage after Ibrahim Keloglan was released in the initial court decision on Feb. 25. Tunc stated, "Our President called me one midnight and said, 'How could such a thing happen?' Our President said that there is no place for this in public conscience. Our President is personally following this."

Source: Newsroom