JINHA

MERSIN - The Özgecan Aslan case, which is charged with symbolic importance for women's rights activists in Turkey, has been adjourned until September 9.

When the burned and raped body of young Özgecan Aslan was found in February of this year in Mersin province, it was the straw that broke the camel's back for women in Turkey. Özgecan's resistance has made her a hero for women across the country. Women took to the streets for Özgecan and showed up in force for the trial of her alleged killers yesterday: bus driver Suphi Altındöken, his son Necmettin and their friend Fatih Gökçe.

Women's groups have been requesting to be allowed into the courtroom, but the court rejected their application on the grounds that women in general were not directly harmed by the crime. Women's groups strongly condemned this argument.

"On paper this may the Özgecan case, but from our perspective this is the case of the Özgecans [plural]," said Sevim Küçük, the lawyer representing Özgecan's side in the trial. The case has become a symbol of the wave of femicide in the country. Women, who have descended on Tarsus in the hundreds for the trial, chanted "not male justice, real justice" in front of the courthouse yesterday.

Testimony continued with Suphi's son Necmettin Altındöken. He claimed that his father picked him up in the car in question, but claimed not to notice the smell of blood or any bloodstains in the car. Necmettin's testimony in court, like his father's, conflicted with earlier testimony delivered when the three were initially arrested.

Necmettin's father Suphi Altındöken had blamed the rape and killing on his friend Fatih Gökçe. He has claimed that he called Fatih to help him take Özgecan to the hospital after he fought with her over the bus fare. Fatih, in his own testimony, blamed the crime on Suphi Altındöken. He claimed that Suphi forcefully enlisted his help in disposing of the body.

When questioned about why he had scratches on his legs if he was wearing pants at the time of the incident and why the men burned not just Özgecan's hands but her genital region as well, Fatih equivocated. Lawyers have requested that new charges be filed against Fatih, including rape charges, based on the evidence.

Suphi's wife Neslihan also testified. She said that her husband had asked her to wash his clothes that day when he came home, but that she had not seen any blood. It emerged in her testimony that her husband had a long history of physically abusing her.

Özgecan's uncle said in a statement that it was clear from the calm testimony of the three defendants that they had a history of committing and covering up such crimes.

"I want to see a decision in this case that will be an example for the world," he said, calling for the perpetrators to receive the highest punishment.

The case will resume on September 9. Defendants will be detained until then.

(gc-be/zd/cm)