Twelve years in prison for murder in Turkish restaurant
The judge has imposed a twelve-year prison sentence for a fatal shooting in a Turkish restaurant on the Mathenesserweg in Rotterdam in September 2014. This was reported by RTV Rijnmond on Wednesday. The court imposed a much lower sentence than was demanded, because it does not believe the murder was prepared.

Photo: Convicted Cengiz A.

Nine bullets
The 29-year-old Hamdi Bilir was shot dead in front of many people present. The judge in the verdict: 'The suspect fired nine bullets. The victim tried to defend himself with a newspaper rack in mortal fear, but nevertheless had no chance to escape the attack and died on the spot.'

The victim, terrified, tried to defend himself with a newspaper rack.

Shooter
According to the court, the 43-year-old Cengiz A. was the shooter. He was recognized by several witnesses and there were gunshot residues on his jacket. The man fled to Turkey. He is serving a fifteen-year sentence there for involvement in the murder of an Iranian journalist.

Co-suspect Ugur D. (30) said he was the shooter to the police, but the judge does not believe the man. Witnesses who were inside the Durum Evi eatery and outside, point to Cengiz A. as the shooter .

Lower penalty
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a 22-year prison sentence for murder in this case. The judge arrives at a much lower sentence because manslaughter is assumed. According to the judge, there is no clarity about the motive. The judge also thinks that if someone wants to commit murder, he will not do so in this way: 'It is not obvious to carry out that decision in a very busy restaurant where he often went, almost in full view and where he arrived and left on foot.'

The two suspects were not present at the hearing or at the verdict. Hamdi Bilir's relatives were disappointed with the severity of the sentence.

https://www.crimesite.nl/twaalf-jaar-cel-voor-moord-in-turks-eethuis/