Turkish student Bünyamin D detained in one city, acquitted in another over same fraud case

A 24‑year‑old student from Mardin, Bünyamin D, gave an IBAN to his friend Özgür Ç. after being told the friend’s bank accounts were blocked. The IBAN was later used in a fraud scheme, leading the victim Tahir K. to file complaints with the public prosecutors in Balıkesir and İzmir. Seven suspects, including Bünyamin D, were investigated and the indictment was sent to the Balıkesir Criminal Court, where he remains detained. The parallel case in İzmir is still at the investigation stage and he is being tried without detention.

Bünyamin D’s lawyer, Gurbet Bilbay, argued that the dual proceedings violate the constitutional right to fair trial, saying, “A person should be tried only once for the same crime.” He also noted that the victim withdrew the complaint and the damage was repaid, yet his client remains in Mardin Prison. The lawyer appealed for corrective action from the Constitutional Court.