Life Imprisonment for Children Who Commit Murder

In response to public reactions, the AK Party is preparing to make a significant change to the Child Protection Law, which includes life imprisonment for children over 15 who commit murder. Judges will have broad discretion in reducing sentences. The automatic age reduction for 15-18 year old children who commit intentional homicide and aggravated assault will be abolished. Children over 15 who commit crimes that require aggravated life imprisonment will face 19-27 years in prison, while those who commit crimes that require life imprisonment will face 15-18 years. The decision to not apply age reduction for children who commit intentional homicide and aggravated assault will be left to the discretion of the judge, while children between 12-15 years old may be subject to the penal regime of the older age group.