Newsletters
In a high-profile legal case that has drawn nationwide attention, 47 defendants, including 22 in custody, are on trial in Türkiye over allegations of orchestrating a criminal network that exploited newborns in intensive care units.
The case, referred to as the "newborn gang" by local media, involves charges of deliberate negligence, fraud, and falsifying official documents, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 infants.
A 1,399-page indictment prepared by the Bakirkoy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has brought 47 suspects, including 22 in custody, to trial. The case alleges a web of corruption involving medical staff, private hospitals, and emergency services, with claims of manipulated patient records, fraud, and the mistreatment of newborns for financial gain.
The Bakirkoy 22nd High Criminal Court accepted the indictment on Oct. 28. It accuses the suspects of collaborating with personnel from the 112 Emergency Call Center in Istanbul to transfer newborns to private hospitals' neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) under dubious circumstances, sometimes leading to fatalities.
The indictment identifies:
Under agreements between Türkiye's Ministry of Health and SGK, NICU services for newborns are compensated at a daily rate of ?8,000 ($231) to reduce post-birth mortality. However, the "newborn gang" exploited this system, orchestrating unnecessary NICU admissions and falsifying medical records to inflate payments.
The scheme reportedly involved 19 private hospitals and numerous 112 emergency personnel.
The indictment accuses key figures, including Dr. Firat Sari and Dr. Ilker Gonen, of manipulating Türkiye's health care systems for financial gain. According to prosecutors, the network exploited SGK reimbursements by falsely inflating the severity of newborns' medical conditions and prolonging hospital stays unnecessarily. Ambulances were reportedly diverted to pre-selected private hospitals, ignoring better-equipped facilities, causing avoidable deaths.
The criminal operation also reportedly falsified treatment records, such as showing infants as intubated when they were not, to claim higher reimbursements. The accused further faced allegations of withholding deceased infants' bodies from families until outstanding bills were paid.
The trial, held in Bakirkoy's largest courtroom due to overwhelming interest, began with heightened security. Several parties, including the Union Of Turkish Bar Associations (UTBA), various political figures, and advocacy groups, sought to join the case as intervening parties. However, the court rejected their applications.
Among the most chilling testimonies was that of nurse Hakan Dogukan Tasci, who admitted to certain irregular practices but denied intentional wrongdoing. Tasci alleged he was pressured by Dr. Sari, saying, "Dr. Sari insisted that we fill up the intensive care unit. The fuller it was, the more profit the hospital made."
Tasci described systemic fraud, including inflating treatment durations and repurposing unused medications for illicit resale.
"We sold medications intended for infants because they were piling up unused," he admitted while maintaining that he never endangered a patient's life intentionally.
Grieving families shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. One father recounted how his newborn, born prematurely, was transferred to an under-equipped facility and subsequently died.
"We were told our child’s condition was critical, but no doctor was present. Later, they demanded payment before returning our baby’s body," he said.
Reports also indicate that some infants suffered due to improper medical care, with one baby's death attributed to delayed intubation and lack of specialist oversight.
The case has sparked intense debate about systemic oversight failures in Türkiye's health care system. Critics argue that lax enforcement allowed fraudulent practices to persist. Türkiye's Ministry of Health has stated that investigations are ongoing and emphasized that affected facilities have had their licenses revoked.
The indictment names 19 private hospitals and health care companies as responsible parties, with requests to freeze their assets and revoke their licenses.
"This case is not only about criminal negligence but about the systemic exploitation of Türkiye's health care system," said an advocate for one of the victim families.
Prosecutors are seeking lengthy prison terms for the accused. Dr. Firat Sari and Dr. Ilker Gonen face potential sentences ranging from 177 years to 589 years for charges including "premeditated killing by omission," "fraud against a public institution," and "establishing a criminal organization."
Ambulance driver Giyasettin Mert Ozdemir faces similar charges for reportedly coordinating illegal patient transfers, while several nurses and health care staff are accused of falsifying medical records and withholding proper treatment.
The trial has drawn responses from across the political spectrum. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed accountability, stating, "Those responsible for these heinous acts against our most vulnerable citizens will never see the light of day again."
Opposition leaders criticized the ruling party for failing to address systemic issues. "This is one of the darkest chapters in Türkiye's healthcare history," said main opposition CHP's Chairman Ozgur Ozel, calling for stronger government accountability.
The investigation led to the revocation of licenses for nine hospitals in Istanbul and one in Tekirdag's Corlu district. Affected facilities include:
Labor and Social Security Minister Vedat Isikhan confirmed that SGK payments and agreements with these hospitals have been terminated. "We are committed to ensuring those responsible face justice," he stated.
During a hearing, opposition IYI Party lawmaker Turhan Comez alleged gross mistreatment of infants.
"Male newborns were physically harmed to the point of severe injury," Comez said. "Evidence, including photos, was shared among staff with emojis and laughter."
Comez condemned the actions, stating, "These gangs exploited children to defraud the state, leaving them malnourished and severely neglected. Some babies were reduced to skin and bones."
Referencing one specific case, he pointed to the "Opara baby," whose death was attributed to substandard NICU care. "The report blames incorrect treatment and insufficient facilities," he remarked.
The trial is ongoing, and public scrutiny remains high as Türkiye grapples with the devastating allegations.
2 min read
3 min read
