Dündar Saldıray Sentenced to Two Years for New Year's Gunfire Incident

The court, led by President Füsun Cemaller, along with Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın and Judge Tutku Candaş, revealed the verdict yesterday. Judge Candaş outlined that Saldıray had gone to a relative's house in the village around 11 PM on December 31, where he stored a shotgun in his vehicle.

After having dinner and drinks, Saldıray retrieved the firearm from his vehicle and fired it, resulting in damage to municipal property. The judge noted that this act posed a danger, particularly as it took place in a populated area with two other individuals present, and highlighted that Saldıray did not possess a permit to carry the shotgun.

Finding Saldıray guilty of the charges, the judge emphasized the increasing prevalence of firearm-related offenses. He acknowledged that Saldıray's lawyer argued that such behavior was common during New Year's celebrations, but reiterated that firing into the air as a primitive form of celebration was unacceptable.

The judge noted that Saldıray had compensated for the 4,500 TL in damages to the municipal property, the complaint had been withdrawn, and he expressed remorse while accepting his guilt. Considering that Saldıray is engaged and preparing for marriage, the judge ultimately sentenced him to two years in prison.