Turkey’s woman has married the acid-throwing man she had thrown at her, almost rendering her blinded and severely disfigured.
A change in the law coupled with COVID rule changes allowed her attacker to leave jail early.
Berfin Ottek was 20 when her relationship with Casim Ozan Celtik ended.
He told her that if he couldn’t have her, no one could.
Berfin Ottek (right) married Casim Ozan Celetik (left) two years ago, just after he had thrown acid at her. This left her in constant pain, disfigured, and only 30% vision in one eye.
After she had survived the attack and confessed to her boyfriend, he was taken into custody. He then bombarded her, apparently with love messages and an apology.
Although the victim briefly accepted her complaint, she wrote that she was not happy with her husband being trapped between those four walls. Our letters were many. He has given me his whole self. He is my best friend and I am his most loving.
She later admitted that she had been wrong after a social media storm and asked her lawyer for restitution.
Her ex-boyfriend was then sentenced to 13 year and 6 months imprisonment for her attack on a Hatay court district in Turkey.
Pictured are 20-year old Berfin (left), and Berfin after the attack (right).
However, a law change led to his release on probation. Many were unhappy about how lenient he served, especially considering Berfin was left with severe vision problems, constant pain, and only 30% vision in one eye.
After his release, he proposed immediately to her and she agreed.
An agreement was reached and the bride married him.
Yasar Ozek Berfin’s father spoke out about his daughter’s wedding. She has been my fighter for many years and all this effort is futile.
Casim, upon his release from prison proposed to Berfin immediately – which she happily accepted. They were then married in March.
Ramazan Erdogan, a lawyer said that the conviction made the defendant a prisoner.
“Considering his time in prison, he is entitled to be transferred to an open prison once he has completed the closed prison period. The pandemic means that convicts will be allowed to leave open prisons from 31 May 2022 onwards.
“The release of the defendant has no connection to his marriage to Berfin. This decision is final. The decision is final.
However, the couple is yet to respond to harsh criticisms received through social media.
One wrote, “Her forgiveness should not have prevented him being punished.” This is a shame, it’s not. But this marriage will be over in about a month. The poor woman will still have to endure the violence she suffered.