02.04.2026 19:02
Sibel Arya Geniş, who is on trial for allegedly pouring cologne on Gözde Yılmaz and setting her on fire at an entertainment venue in Kadıköy, claimed during the first hearing that she regretted her actions and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The court decided to continue the defendant's detention and postponed the hearing to July 14, while Yılmaz, who suffered facial burns in the incident, is still receiving treatment.
33-year-old Gözde Yılmaz, who was tried for allegedly pouring cologne on and setting fire to her in front of an entertainment venue in Kadıköy, claimed during the first hearing that she regretted her actions and was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The court decided to continue the defendant's detention and postponed the hearing.
ATTACKED WHEN SHE LEAST EXPECTED IT
The incident occurred on November 1, 2025, in front of an entertainment venue in the Caferağa neighborhood while Gözde Yılmaz was sitting outside with her friends and talking on her cell phone. After the call, the suspect Sibel Arya Geriş approached Yılmaz and poured cologne on her before setting her on fire with a lighter. Following the attack, the suspect Sibel Arya Geriş fled the scene. Friends and bystanders intervened to help Gözde Yılmaz, who was suddenly engulfed in flames. Emergency medical and police teams arrived at the scene upon notification. During the health team's checks, it was determined that Yılmaz had suffered second and third-degree burns on her body during the attack, and she was taken to Kartal Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Sibel Arya Geriş, who was arrested after the incident, appeared before the judge for the first time. The first hearing held by the Anadolu 22nd High Criminal Court was attended by the detained defendant Sibel Arya Giriş, the burned Gözde Yılmaz, and the lawyers of both parties, while witness Doğukan Nal connected via SEGBİS.
"SHE POURED A LIQUID ON ME AND SET ME ON FIRE"
Gözde Yılmaz, who was burned on her face during the incident, stated, "I was at work, and there are camera recordings related to this. I live with my boyfriend. I hadn't been with Doğukan for a long time. I closed the studio around 11 PM. We went to the entertainment venue to drink alcohol. When I got there, she asked, 'Are you with Doğukan?' She poured a liquid on me and set me on fire."
I TOLD HER I WAS WITH GÖZDE WHEN SHE CALLED, I KNEW SHE DIDN'T LIKE GÖZDE
Witness Doğukan Nal, who participated via SEGBİS, said, "Gözde is my childhood friend, Sibel is my girlfriend. I used to use drugs before, but I don't use them now. I was using drugs with Gözde as well. That day, I had a fight with my girlfriend. I didn't want to meet because I was drunk. When she called, I told her I was with Gözde. I knew she didn't like Gözde. I had gone to another place to use drugs."
'I AM VERY REGRETFUL'
Sibel Arya Geriş, who faces a prison sentence of up to 4 years and 6 months, expressed her regret during her defense at the hearing. Geriş also stated that she was drunk at the time of the incident, saying, "First of all, I regret what I did. I knew Gözde through my boyfriend. We were planning to get married with Doğukan. Two days before the incident, he said he was with Gözde. That day, I attended an event in Kadıköy that only girls could participate in. I was very drunk, I called Doğukan, but he didn't come. I got the number from Alp and found out where they were and went there. I was very drunk. Gözde was using drugs with Doğukan. I always carry cologne in my bag. When I got there, the desire to burn her hair arose. I sprayed the cologne, and it came to different areas. I have been a doctor's assistant for 3-4 years. I have never harmed anyone at any time. I just went to Gözde to say that I didn't want her to talk to Doğukan. My mind was not clear enough to make an assessment."
HEARING POSTPONED
The court postponed the hearing to July 14 to prepare reports and documents from the hospital where the complainant received treatment for the burns she sustained, to obtain a report from the Forensic Medicine Institution regarding whether the injuries on the complainant's body caused sensory and organ weakness, and whether the injuries on her face would result in permanent scarring, to send the video of the incident to an expert for analysis, and to determine the nature of the plastic bottle in the defendant's hand at the time of the incident and to address the deficiencies in the case file.