The arrests follow the discovery of disturbing video footage depicting the torture, which is allegedly linked to the "Çekdar" crime organization. This organization is reportedly led by Ö.B.K., a fugitive currently wanted by Interpol. The suspects, detained on suspicion of being members of this organization, gave chilling testimonies during their court appearances, revealing a network of violence and intimidation.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Terror and Organized Crime Bureau, began following a series of armed attacks in the Sancaktepe district between December 24, 2024, and January 3, 2025. Serhat Ö., identified as a perpetrator in these attacks, was apprehended during a subsequent operation. A forensic examination of Serhat Ö.'s mobile phone uncovered horrifying videos depicting the torture of two men and a woman.
Police investigations stemming from the video evidence revealed a complex web of personal relationships and criminal activity. According to initial findings, a woman identified as Mehtap Y. allegedly contacted Serhat Ö. after discovering her husband's infidelity. It is alleged that Mehtap Y. orchestrated the abduction of her husband, his lover, and a business partner. The abducted trio were subjected to prolonged torture and sexual harassment by their captors.
The initial investigation into the shootings expanded to encompass a wider range of charges against the identified suspects. These charges include:
- Forming, leading, and being a member of a criminal organization.
- Aggravated robbery within the framework of the organization's activities.
- Torture.
- Cruel treatment.
- Deprivation of liberty.
- Violation of the inviolability of domicile and workplace.
- Intentional injury with monstrous feelings.
- Unlawful recording of personal data.
Authorities further determined that the suspects were operating under the umbrella of the "Çekdar" crime organization, allegedly directed by Ö.B.K., who is currently on Interpol's wanted list. Following the investigation, police detained 11 suspects: Mehtap Y., Defne Y., Serhat Ö., Cihan Ö., Oğuzhan Y., Ali Can B., Ümit A., Talha Muhsin Ç., Ahmet A., Cengizhan Y., and Hikmet Can Ş. After processing by the police, all suspects were transferred to the courthouse where they were formally arrested and placed in pre-trial detention pending further legal proceedings.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge in Court Testimonies
During their court appearances, the suspects presented varied and often conflicting accounts of the events.
Mehtap Y., the woman allegedly at the center of the initial abduction, denied any organized criminal involvement. "I absolutely did not act collectively with anyone, with an organization. I have no connection with anyone. I don't know these individuals," she stated in her defense. She claimed to have only known Serhat through Oğuzhan and alleged that she herself had received threats from the "Çekdar" organization, learning from Serhat and Cihan that she was next. Mehtap Y. also claimed no knowledge of missing money and valuables from the massage parlor where the torture took place, or of any subsequent money transfers. She admitted to transferring her share in the massage parlor to Cihan without payment, citing fear and a lack of understanding of the business after receiving threats and her business partner cutting off contact. She further stated that her husband's business partner, Mesut, had owed Serhat 500,000 TL, and that after Mesut disappeared, threats were directed towards her and her children. While expressing remorse, she vehemently denied any organizational membership.
Cihan Ö., another suspect, claimed his involvement was limited and unintentional. "I had no intention of robbery," he stated, "I did not know the events would escalate to this extent. I acted out of fear, doing what I was told during the incident. They asked me to record, so I recorded." He claimed his presence was solely to ensure the safety of employees due to the arrival of unknown individuals at the workplace. Cihan Ö. admitted to taking photos and sending location information of the business to Serhat, but claimed it was to maintain his own safety by keeping Serhat close. He denied any involvement in demanding money. He acknowledged that valuables were taken from the massage parlor after the torture and shared among Serhat, his brother, and unidentified individuals, but claimed no participation in this.
Serhat Ö., in whose phone the torture videos were found, also denied organizational ties and downplayed his role. "I am a men's hairdresser. I know Mehtap from the neighborhood. I also know Mesut from the neighborhood. I had a financial dispute with Mesut, but I have no connection with what happened to Serkan and Dilnaz," he stated, referring to the torture victims. He also denied involvement in the shooting at Emre's workplace and any connection to the "Çekdar" organization. He claimed the 500,000 TL demand was not related to him and that he left the situation after the dispute with Mesut, claiming no knowledge of subsequent events. He accused other suspects of falsely implicating him to save themselves.
Oğuzhan Y., another suspect, presented a narrative of attempted intervention. "When Mehtap called us, we were at our shop. She called and asked, 'Will you come with me?'" He stated that he, along with other suspects, went to the spa center where they encountered Serhat, Cihan, and others. He claimed they attempted to intervene but were deterred by the presence of a firearm. Oğuzhan Y. stated that he and others left the scene, unaware of the subsequent torture, which he claimed to have learned about later from Cihan and Mehtap, who allegedly showed them videos and threatened their families. He also mentioned receiving a message from Mehtap asking him to "stop Serhat," but claimed to have stayed out of it.
Talha Muhsin Ç. corroborated Oğuzhan Y.'s account of going to the spa center under the pretense of a divorce meeting and witnessing Serhat Ö. initiating violence. He stated that weapons were brandished, preventing them from intervening. He claimed they witnessed the initial assault and later learned of further torture from video recordings shown to them at a butcher shop by Cihan and Mehtap. Talha Muhsin Ç. stated fear prevented them from reporting to the police. He also claimed Hikmet Can Ş. had no involvement in the events, only becoming aware of the situation after being arrested and learning about money transferred to his account.
All Suspects Remanded in Custody
Following the testimonies of Ahmet A., Alican B., Cengizhan Y., Hikmet Can Ş., and Ümit A., the court ruled to remand all 11 suspects in pre-trial detention. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds. The case highlights the disturbing nature of organized crime in Istanbul and the lengths to which criminal groups are willing to go, as evidenced by the graphic torture videos and the chilling testimonies presented in court. The fact that the alleged leader of the "Çekdar" organization is wanted by Interpol suggests a potentially wider network and scope of criminal activities beyond this specific incident.
Comments
0 comment