Turkey Court Upholds 15-Year Prison Sentence for Man Who Set Fire to Mother’s Home

On the night of 15 May 2024, 46‑year‑old Selim Y., intoxicated, set fire to his mother Kerime Y.’s single‑storey house and the adjoining home in the Arslanbey neighbourhood of Kartepe, Kocaeli Province. The blaze forced neighbours to rescue the 74‑year‑old woman, who suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. Police detained Selim Y., who was later charged with attempted murder.

After an initial 15‑year sentence was overturned on procedural grounds, the Kocaeli 1st Heavy Penal Court reheard the case and confirmed the original penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment for "attempted murder by arson." During the trial the defendant repeated that he was an alcoholic seeking treatment, saying, "I promise I will not drink again, I want my parole," while his lawyer argued there was no causal link between the fire and the victim’s heart attack. The court rejected the appeal and upheld the conviction.