Julie Hambleton
Julie Hambleton
January 22, 2024 ·  4 min read

My enraged boyfriend threw acid in my face — but I still married him

Relationships are not easy. They take work, including through your problems and disagreements. This, however, does not include accepting abuse of any kind. Unfortunately, too many experiences this kind of behavior on a regular basis. Sometimes that behavior is violent and permanently damaging. This is what happened to this young woman in Turkey, whose boyfriend threw acid in her face during an argument. Despite being permanently disfigured and mostly blind at his hands, she still agreed to marry him two years later.

This Woman Still Married Her Boyfriend Who Threw Acid In Her Face

There is a popular phrase where people say that “love is blind”. While there is some truth to this statement, the person who first said it didn’t mean actually, physically blind. They certainly didn’t intend it to mean being blinded by the person who is supposed to love you and still staying with them. This is exactly what happened when Casim Ozan Celtik, 21, at the time, threw acid in the face of his 18-year-old girlfriend Berfin Ozek. (1)

His actions left her nearly completely blind and entirely disfigured. Still, two years later, when authorities released Celtik from jail, she agreed to marry him. This decision has left her family and friends completely baffled. 

The pair had broken up, and Celtic was not happy about it. They were arguing about the situation when the attack happened. Celtic allegedly yelled “If I can’t have you, then no one can!” before throwing acid in her face. 

Read: Mom shares disturbing video of daughter left ‘possessed’ after drink ‘spiked’

The Sentence

Ozek initiated a complaint in court against Celtik. After all, she was now partially blind and in constant pain. She would need many surgeries and therapy to regain some semblance of a normal life. Afterward, however, Celtik apparently “love bombed” her with messages. He begged for forgiveness and asked for reconciliation. She conceded. She forgave him and withdrew the complaint. (2)

“We have written many letters to each other. I have given myself to him. I love him very much — [and] he loves me very much.” she said.

Quickly, however, the public put her under heat on social media about her decision. Because of the pressure that people put on her on social media, she decided to then reinstate the complaint. The judge then sentenced him to 13 and a half years behind bars.

Berfin Ozek victim of acid attack
Newsflash

The Pandemic Brought Them Back Together

This all happened before the pandemic. However, when COVID-19 spread around the world in 2020, many things changed. First of all, there were some law changes outside of the pandemic. These coupled with pandemic-related changes meant that the court released Celtik on probation.

Naturally, the public were outraged. After all, he left Ozek with just 30% vision in only one of her eyes, permanently disfigured, and in constant pain. Why should he be released, regardless of COVID-19 measures? This, however, was the least of the surprises for the Turkish public.

Immediately upon his release, Celtik asked Ozek to marry him. What’s even more shocking, Ozek said yes. They married each other in December 2021. Even Ozek’s parents were aghast. Ozek’s father was distraught over his daughter’s decision and refused to attend the ceremony.

“She married without our knowing. I’ve fought for her for years, and now all of this has been in vain.” he said.

According to a Turkish lawyer, if it weren’t for the pandemic, this would not have happened. Celtik instead would have remained behind bars for the next decade and then some.

Public Backlash

Naturally, the couple has received a lot of negative attention from the public, both in Turkey and around the world. People are incredulous that Celtik was ever let out of prison, let alone within any sort of distance of Ozek. They are equally as confused and upset as to why Ozek would take him back after what he did to her. Many are concerned for her safety and what he will do to her the next time he is angry.

“If asked who the most stupid person in the world is, I will answer by naming this woman. Next time, this man will skin her alive.” said one woman.

Others have said that they don’t think that the marriage will last long. We can only hope that further physical, emotional, and psychological damage won’t be done to this woman.

Keep Reading: New law requiring drunk drivers to pay child support if a parent is killed passes

Sources

  1. My enraged boyfriend threw acid in my face — but I still married him.” NY Post. Andrew Court.
  2. Turkish woman, 20, MARRIES boyfriend who threw acid in her face leaving her disfigured and almost blind after his early release from prison.” Daily Mail. Sam Baker.