04.12.2025 15:03
A criminal investigation has been initiated by the HSK regarding the allegation that 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver in the judicial custody of the Büyükçekmece Courthouse in Istanbul were stolen by the responsible officer. The name of Yavuz Engin, the public prosecutor in charge of the judicial custody, had previously come to light due to his investigation against the Newborn Gang.
The long absence of the accounting officer Erdal Timurtaş, who works in the Trust Office of the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was reported to the Public Prosecutor. Following this, the Chief Public Prosecutor, along with the officials, had the office of the trust bureau and the safes inside opened. During the search, it was determined that approximately 50 kilograms of silver and about 25 kilograms of gold were missing.
HE SENT A MESSAGE TO HIS FRIENDS SAYING "MAY ALLAH GIVE YOU A MARKET"
Upon the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the accounting officer Erdal Timurtaş and another suspect, Kemal D. In the investigation, it was found that Erdal Timurtaş had fled to England with his family on November 19, 2025, around 08:22. The other suspect, Kemal D., was captured and taken into custody at his address. Additionally, it was learned that the suspect Erdal Timurtaş had written to his friends on the WhatsApp application, "I sold the goods, may Allah give you a market."
HE HAD BEEN WORKING IN THE COURT SINCE 2021
Meanwhile, the investigation into the shocking incident is being conducted meticulously by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. According to the information obtained, it was learned that the suspect Erdal Timurtaş worked in a service staff position, did not have the key to the judicial trust safe, and only had the key to the room. Furthermore, it was revealed that another suspect, Kemal D., had been working as a clerk in the courthouse since 2021 and had the keys to both the judicial trust safe and the judicial trust room, while Erdal Timurtaş started working in 2022.
THE LAST INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED 2 MONTHS AGO
According to the information obtained, the judicial trust door is a steel door that operates with a double key system, and these safes are inspected every two months, with the last inspection having been conducted two months ago, and no negative findings were reported. It was learned that the incident was noticed by the Public Prosecutor conducting the inspection during a routine check in the office.
IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE STOLEN GOLD WAS PART OF A FAKE CITIZENSHIP OPERATION
Additionally, it was revealed that the gold stolen by Erdal Timurtaş was among the valuables seized during an operation conducted against 113 suspects who were detained as part of a fake citizenship investigation centered in Istanbul across 19 provinces.
REQUEST FOR A RED NOTICE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
While the investigation conducted by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues, individuals that the suspect may have been able to connect with during the incident are being investigated one by one. As the investigation deepens, it was learned that a notification was made to the Ministry of Justice for a red notice to be issued for the suspect Erdal Timurtaş, who fled to England, and his wife Esma Timurtaş. Additionally, it is expected that another suspect, Kemal D., who was taken into custody, will be brought to the courthouse in the coming hours.
AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN INITIATED AGAINST PROSECUTOR YAVUZ ENGİN
The HSK has initiated an investigation against Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin, who is responsible for the judicial trust, regarding the allegation that 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver were stolen by a clerk in the courthouse. A warrant was also issued for the arrest of the suspect clerk accused of committing the theft, who was learned to have applied for a visa months ago.
HIS NAME BECAME KNOWN THROUGH THE YENİDOĞAN INVESTIGATION
Public Prosecutor Yavuz Engin's name became known through the Yenidoğan Gang case. In the investigation he conducted against the gang, Engin was threatened with death by the organization's lawyer Aylin Arslantatar, who called him and later went to his office to demand the release of certain detainees. The case against those who threatened Engin is ongoing.