What is Intentional Homicide?
In the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), “intentional homicide” is defined as a person intentionally and willingly ending the life of another person. In order for this crime to occur, the perpetrator must;
Be Conscious and Willing: The perpetrator must know that his action will cause the death of a person and accept this outcome.
End the Life of Another Person: The perpetrator’s action must end the life of a person.
The penalty for intentional homicide is life imprisonment according to Article 81 of the TCK.
What is Murder?
Murder is a qualified form of intentional homicide. If the crime of intentional homicide is committed under certain special conditions, it is considered that the crime of murder has occurred. In order for murder to occur, at least one of the following elements must be present in addition to the crime of intentional homicide:
Premeditation: The perpetrator made a plan before committing the crime and acted in accordance with this plan.
Bestiality: The perpetrator showed extraordinary brutality while committing the crime.
Making Detection Difficult: The perpetrator used various methods to cover up his tracks or make it harder to catch him after committing the crime.
Concealment: The perpetrator hid the body during or after committing the crime.
Title-for-Tale: The perpetrator committed the crime for revenge.
The penalty for murder is also life imprisonment, but in some cases, the penalty can be increased by taking into account aggravating circumstances.
