Eight years for man who shot neighbour in the eye with rifle
A MAN has been jailed for eight years for leaving his neighbour blind in one eye after shooting him with a hunting rifle.
Emel Avcıbaşı, 60, received the prison sentence from Lefkoşa Assize Court on Monday for shooting Naci Tekin, 64, over a property “boundary dispute” in Yedidalga last year.
Mr Avcıbaşı, who was drunk at the time of the incident, claimed that Mr Tekin had “entered his garden” at night.
Mr Avcıbaşı, who was accused of “grievous bodily harm”, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Chief prosecutor İbrahim Ruso and the defendant’s lawyer Huseyin Baflı were in court for the sentencing, which was presided over by a panel of judges made up of Senior Judge Şerife Katip, and judges Murat Soytaç and Fadıl Aksun.
Announcing the verdict,
Judge Soytaç stated that Mr Avcıbaşı was found guilty and sentenced in light of “his confession, the facts and evidence presented” in court.
Judge Soytaç emphasised that Mr Avcıbaşı attacked Mr Tekin, with whom he had a “boundary dispute”, while Mr Tekin was in the garden of his house and while he “wasn’t paying attention”.
He noted that Mr Tekin’s loss of his eye due to the
attack would make his life “more difficult”, that the defendant shot the complainant “while intoxicated”, “endangered the life” of Mr Tekin’s wife, and that Mr Avcıbaşı “fled the scene of the crime”. These were also considered “aggravating factors” against the defendant.
Judge Soytaç emphasised that Mr Avcıbaşı had resorted to using “violence instead of discussion” and caused “disquiet” among society.
Indicating that individual crimes committed with firearms “unsettle” society, Judge Soytaç pointed out that “deterrent punishments” are needed for “public interest” and to prevent an increase in such crimes.