21.06.2026 20:40
In the Selçuk district of İzmir, pharmacist Beray Yürek, known for her work with stray animals, was called to an address under the pretense of a sick stray dog. She immediately set out to help the sick dog, but upon arriving at the specified address, she was attacked. Severely beaten and nearly strangled with a belt, Yürek managed to escape on her own, while the attacker was quickly caught and arrested. Additionally, the attacker was dismissed from their position at the Selçuk Municipality.
Upon a report of a sick stray dog in Izmir's Selçuk district, pharmacist Beray Yürek, known for her work with street animals, went to Yeni Şirince Road and was physically attacked by H.Z.
ATTEMPTED STRANGULATION WITH A BELT
The suspect allegedly brutally beat Yürek and tried to strangle her with a belt. Yürek, who suffered serious injuries on her face and neck, managed to escape the attacker.
ARRESTED
Following the incident on June 19, upon a complaint, Selçuk District Gendarmerie Command teams quickly apprehended and detained the suspect H.Z. After his statement at the gendarmerie, the suspect was referred to Selçuk Courthouse and arrested by the judge, then sent to Aliağa Şakran Penal Institution.
“SUMMONED TO THE AREA UNDER THE PRETEXT OF SHOWING A SICK DOG”
Beray Yürek stated that the suspect, who introduced himself as an animal lover, had previously contacted her and called her to the area under the pretext of showing a sick dog. Yürek, expressing that she struggled with the assailant for a long time during the incident and her phone was damaged, described her terrifying moments with the words, "It was a miracle I survived."
TERMINATED FROM MUNICIPAL JOB
Following the incident that caused outrage in the district, it was revealed that the suspect H.Z. was a Selçuk Municipality employee. In a statement on the matter, Selçuk Mayor Filiz Ceritoğlu Sengel emphasized that violence against women is unacceptable no matter by whom or for what reason it is committed, and condemned the attack. Mayor Sengel announced that the necessary investigations were quickly carried out and the suspect H.Z.'s connection with the municipality was severed.