Acid Attack Survivor’s Marriage to Her Attacker Sparks National Debate in Turkey

The story of Berfin Özek has become one of the most controversial and emotionally complex cases in recent Turkish memory, raising difficult questions about trauma, justice, forgiveness, and the psychological impact of abuse.

Berfin was just 18 years old when her life changed forever after ending a relationship with Casim Ozan Çeltik. According to reports, he refused to accept the breakup. In a violent attack that shocked the country, sulfuric acid was thrown across Berfin’s face while he allegedly told her, “If I can’t have you, no one can.”

The attack caused devastating injuries. Berfin suffered severe burns to her face, neck, and chest, and permanently lost vision in one eye. Multiple surgeries were required to reconstruct damaged areas of her face, including her eyelids and lips. Images of her injuries later spread widely throughout Turkey, prompting public outrage and demands for stronger protections against violence toward women.

Çeltik was eventually sentenced to 13.5 years in prison for the attack. At the time, many believed justice had been delivered.

However, the story took an unexpected and deeply controversial turn.

While incarcerated, Çeltik reportedly began writing letters to Berfin apologizing for his actions, expressing regret, and declaring his love for her. Over time, Berfin responded to the letters, and communication between the two continued.

In 2020, Berfin publicly announced that she had withdrawn her complaint against him and intended to marry him. The revelation shocked the nation and triggered widespread debate across Turkish media and social platforms.

Women’s rights advocates, legal professionals, and members of the public expressed deep concern. Some lawyers associated with the case reportedly withdrew in protest, with one widely quoted statement reading: “We do not want love that kills.”

Critics argued that the relationship reflected the complex psychological effects abuse can have on victims, while others questioned whether emotional pressure, trauma bonding, or social dynamics may have influenced Berfin’s decisions.

In 2021, legal provisions involving sentence reductions and parole reportedly allowed Çeltik to be released earlier than expected. Shortly after leaving prison, he proposed marriage to Berfin.

She accepted.

The couple reportedly married privately later that year.

Since then, the case has remained one of the most divisive public discussions in Turkey regarding gender violence and victim psychology. Some observers describe the situation as tragic and deeply troubling, while others caution against oversimplifying the emotional complexity experienced by survivors of traumatic abuse.

Psychologists and advocacy groups frequently note that abusive relationships can involve cycles of manipulation, dependency, guilt, and emotional attachment that are difficult for outsiders to fully understand.

For many people, however, the case continues to raise one painful question that still echoes years later:

When violence becomes entangled with love, what remains of justice?