08.08.2026 19:20
In line with the testimony of Burkay Karatepe, a FETÖ member who participated in the assassination attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Marmaris during the July 15 coup attempt and who has been sought with a red notice for 10 years, the weapons and ammunition he claimed to have buried in Marmaris were searched for by a 155-person team in extensive search efforts, but only canned food containers were found instead of weapons.
Burkay Karatepe, a FETÖ member who participated in the assassination attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Marmaris during the July 15 coup attempt and had been sought with a red notice for 10 years, was arrested after being captured. However, no weapons or ammunition were found during the search and scanning operations in the areas Karatepe pointed out.
WEAPONS HE CLAIMED TO HAVE BURIED WERE SEARCHED
Karatepe, who was captured in Afyonkarahisar as a result of a joint operation by the Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, and Muğla police departments under the coordination of the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was arrested on August 5 after being brought to Muğla.
Within the scope of the investigation, in line with Karatepe's statements, a location identification procedure was carried out on his escape route after the assassination attempt and in the Armutalan and İçmeler neighborhoods of Marmaris, where he obtained supplies.
After Karatepe stated that he had buried long-barreled weapons, pistols, and ammunition in these areas, a comprehensive search was conducted under the supervision of a public prosecutor in accordance with the decision of the Muğla Criminal Court of Peace.
155-PERSON TEAM SCANNED THE REGION
The search operations involved a 155-person team consisting of police special operations units and gendarmerie commando personnel. In addition to 23 detectors and their operators, 3 dog units were also used in the operations.
The teams also examined and compared not only the points Karatepe indicated but also areas where weapons had previously been seized.
TWO CANS FOUND INSTEAD OF WEAPONS
No weapons or ammunition were found during the searches that lasted hours. The teams found 2 cans buried in the soil, one full and the other empty.
Examinations revealed that the production date of the cans was 2015 and their expiration date was 2023.
During the search and scanning activities, no elements of crime other than the cans were found.
DNA ANALYSIS IS ALSO ONGOING
Meanwhile, within the scope of the investigation, DNA comparison and matching studies are being conducted on blood and hair samples taken from Karatepe.
These studies aim to determine whether there is a connection between Karatepe and the weapons seized during searches carried out since July 15, 2016.
It was reported that examinations in the areas Karatepe indicated and in areas where weapons were previously found are also continuing as part of the investigation.