News Center — Yasin Cakmak, a member of the personal protection unit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and a trainer in the Presidential Protection Department, attempted to kill his wife, Fatma Cakmak, on January 12 using a sharp object and through torture.

The perpetrator was arrested after committing the crime; however, the court released him under a judicial supervision order. This decision sparked widespread anger and condemnation, as women’s organizations and public opinion strongly rejected it, clearly demanding his arrest and accountability.

In response, the Women’s Council of the DEM Party issued a written statement calling for the immediate arrest of Yasin Cakmak. The statement said: “For 14 years of her marriage, Fatma was a target of male violence because she refused to remain silent about the torture she endured. She did not accept the continuation of violence and sought divorce. The reason she remained trapped in the cycle of violence for years is the absence of mechanisms that protect women and empower them. The release of Yasin Cakmak after taking his statement, despite his attempt to kill Fatma, clearly reveals how crimes committed against women are left unpunished.”

The statement added: “In 2025, despite the existence of protection orders, 23 women were killed. Yet, only judicial supervision and restraining measures were imposed on Yasin Cakmak, proving that Fatma Cakmak’s life will not be safe. We demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrator, as continued impunity means more crimes against women.”

It further stressed: “The story of Fatma Cakmak is, in essence, the story of all women in this country who have become targets of male violence exercised by the state simply because they demanded divorce. The voice Fatma raised in defense of her right to life is the same voice of all women struggling against this violence.”

The Women’s Council addressed all officials, stating: “Yasin Cakmak must be arrested immediately for exploiting his position in a state institution to commit violence against a woman, and the necessary measures must be taken to ensure he is held fully accountable. We also emphasize the urgent need to take immediate steps to protect Fatma’s life and guarantee her safety. Let it be clearly known that we will never allow the protection or covering up of a person working in the Presidential Protection Department. We will continue to strengthen solidarity with Fatma and will not remain silent in the face of patriarchal judicial policies that leave violence against women unpunished. We will continue to demand the reactivation of the Istanbul Convention and the effective implementation of all provisions of Law No. 6284, as they are the true guarantees of women’s lives and dignity.”