Barış Akçimen Sentenced to 6 Years for Possession of 500 Ecstasy Pills

The court cited the severity of the crime and the commercial intent as aggravating factors, while Akçimen’s lack of prior convictions and expressions of remorse were considered mitigating factors.

Presided over by Füsun Cemaller, with Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın and Judge Gülay Uğur, the court concluded that the defendant was guilty based on his own admission, evidence, and testimonies. Judge Uğur noted that the maximum penalty for such drug offenses is 15 years in prison, emphasizing the increasing prevalence of drug crimes and the ease of supply and distribution.

The court highlighted the distinction between personal-use and commercial drug offenses. Akçimen had contacted a supplier in Adana, ordered 500 pills, and transferred 66,000 TL to the supplier’s account. The drugs were shipped hidden in a truck, and Akçimen sold 155 of the pills at 400 TL each.

Considering the commercial nature of the offense as an aggravating factor and the defendant’s remorse and clean criminal record as mitigating factors, the court determined that no alternative punishment other than imprisonment was appropriate. Taking into account the seriousness of the crime, the quantity of drugs, and other relevant factors, Akçimen was sentenced to six years in prison.