In a shocking case in Turkey, 47 people including doctors, nurses, and ambulance drivers are currently on trial for their alleged roles in a scandal involving the deaths of newborns. Prosecutors claim that these medical professionals took part in a scheme where infants were transferred between hospitals for profit. Reports indicate that at least 10 children died as a result.
The defendants are accused of falsifying diagnoses to move babies to 19 private hospitals, where they were often subjected to lengthy and sometimes unnecessary intensive care treatments. According to a detailed 1,400-page indictment, those involved shared the social security payments received for each day a baby stayed in the neonatal unit.
The accused maintain their innocence, insisting that their actions were taken in the best interests of the babies. Dr. Firat Sari, one of the accused, stated that all actions were performed "in accordance with procedures," as reported by the Associated Press.
As the trial commenced, a large crowd gathered outside the courthouse near Istanbul, chanting slogans like “baby killers will be held accountable” and calling for the closure of private hospitals. The investigation was initiated following an anonymous tip-off in March 2023, leading to the revocation of licenses for 10 hospitals involved in the scandal. Should the defendants be found guilty, they face serious charges including "homicide through negligence," fraud, and forgery, which could result in long prison sentences.
The defendants are accused of falsifying diagnoses to move babies to 19 private hospitals, where they were often subjected to lengthy and sometimes unnecessary intensive care treatments. According to a detailed 1,400-page indictment, those involved shared the social security payments received for each day a baby stayed in the neonatal unit.
The accused maintain their innocence, insisting that their actions were taken in the best interests of the babies. Dr. Firat Sari, one of the accused, stated that all actions were performed "in accordance with procedures," as reported by the Associated Press.
As the trial commenced, a large crowd gathered outside the courthouse near Istanbul, chanting slogans like “baby killers will be held accountable” and calling for the closure of private hospitals. The investigation was initiated following an anonymous tip-off in March 2023, leading to the revocation of licenses for 10 hospitals involved in the scandal. Should the defendants be found guilty, they face serious charges including "homicide through negligence," fraud, and forgery, which could result in long prison sentences.
