12.06.2026 16:40
A verdict has been reached in the trial of Public Prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay K., who wounded female judge Aslı K. with a firearm in the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice building. The court sentenced the defendant Muhammed Çağatay K. to 15 years in prison. Additionally, due to the defendant having no prior criminal record, the court decided to stay the announcement of the verdict for a total of 3 years and 4 months in prison imposed for three separate offenses.
A verdict has been reached regarding Republic Prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay K., who wounded a female judge serving at the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice with a firearm. The court sentenced the defendant to 11 years and 8 months in prison for the crime of "attempted premeditated murder against a woman."
The trial of Republic Prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay K., who served at the Anatolian Courthouse and wounded Judge Aslı K. by shooting her with a gun during an argument on January 13, 2026, in the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice building, continued.
At the hearing held at the Istanbul 35th Heavy Penal Court, the detained defendant Muhammed Çağatay K. and the lawyers of both parties were present.
DEFENDANT'S FINAL DEFENSE
Presenting his final defense in the hearing, defendant Muhammed Çağatay K. claimed that the incident occurred during an argument and mutual tension following a long-standing emotional relationship.
The defendant argued that he was under psychological pressure due to his relationship with the plaintiff, and that the pregnancy and abortion process increased the tension in the relationship, claiming the incident happened not with the intent to kill but during a sudden scuffle.
The defendant said, "The plaintiff cheated on me, had the second baby aborted without asking me. She made my mother sick. I don't blame her, I blame myself, but since you are deciding on behalf of the Turkish nation, her cheating should matter to you. The plaintiff threatened me on the day of the incident, I was attacked during the argument, and therefore I used my gun."
"YOU CANNOT SAY HE FIRED TO KILL"
In his continued defense, defendant Muhammed Çağatay K. stated, "I fired towards the leg area. After I lowered the pistol, a witness jumped on me, and that coincided with the police entering. I never touched anyone after they held me down. The moment the police grabbed me, I dropped the gun."
The defendant's lawyers requested the application of unjust provocation provisions for their client. The lawyers argued that their client's intent was not attempted murder.
The plaintiff's lawyer stated that the defendant systematically made threats and engaged in stalking, alleging the incident was carried out in a planned manner.
"THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE I AM A PROSECUTOR"
Asked for his final words, the defendant said, "I address my colleagues and seniors in the profession. I could have been someone deaf, mute, unable to defend myself. Even without my defense, you should have ruled based on injury. I address the entire justice organization. What happened to me could happen to you too. This is happening because I am a prosecutor."
COURT RULED 15 YEARS IN PRISON
Announcing its decision, the court sentenced Muhammed Çağatay K. to 11 years and 8 months in prison for the crime of "attempted premeditated murder against a woman."
The court also ruled that the defendant receive a total of 3 years and 4 months in prison for the crimes of "violating workplace inviolability through force and threats," "threatening with a weapon and in a chain manner," and "unlawfully obtaining personal data." However, due to the defendant having no prior criminal record, the court decided to defer the announcement of the verdict for these offenses.
NOTABLE DETAILS IN THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that prosecutor Muhammed Çağatay Kılıçarslan and plaintiff judge Aslı Kahraman began an emotional relationship from mid-2023.
The indictment noted that the relationship ended after a while, that Kılıçarslan wanted to end the relationship fearing it would negatively impact his professional career, and because their families lived in the same housing complex, he was anxious about encountering the plaintiff and explaining the situation to his family.
It was recorded that the prosecutor saw the plaintiff's request for a transfer to another city as the only way out and thus gradually increased his pressure.
The indictment also stated that the defendant occasionally went to the plaintiff's office, sent threatening messages and images, tried to contact her through various communication methods, disrupted her peace, and caused her to worry about her safety.
The indictment also included that despite being blocked through all communication channels, he made calls with hidden numbers and continued his threats through statements written in the description fields of bank receipts.
It was stated that after an argument between the parties on the day of the incident, the defendant did not leave the plaintiff's room, drew his gun and aimed it at the victim, and fired despite the intervention of an official who entered the room upon a call for help.
In the prepared indictment, it had been requested that Muhammed Çağatay Kılıçarslan be sentenced to a total of 20 years and 2 months to 42 years and 3 months in prison for the crimes of "attempted premeditated murder against a woman," "violating workplace inviolability through force and threats," "threatening with a weapon and in a chain manner," "unlawfully obtaining personal data," and "stalking."