29.07.2025 00:52
Ufuk Aytekin, who was arrested for starting a forest fire in Bursa and has connections to FETÖ, made scandalous statements in his testimony to the prosecutor's office. Aytekin said, "My intention was to help the officials working there. When I entered the village road, in a moment of emotional turmoil, I wanted to set fire to the forested area by the side of the road. I poured the gasoline from a 5-liter can at the base of the trees, and then I lit it with a lighter."
In the region between Orhaneli and Harmancık districts of Bursa, a forest fire continues, and following complaints from citizens, a suspect was caught in his vehicle with a gasoline canister. It was revealed that he had previously been processed due to his connections with FETÖ and was arrested. The suspect's statement to the prosecutor's office has been obtained.
HE SAID HE HAD PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND WAS TAKING MEDICATION
The suspect, Ufuk Aytekin, stated in his testimony to the prosecutor's office that he was detained for being a member of FETÖ while serving as a non-commissioned officer in April 2019, that he was temporarily removed from duty, and that he was definitively expelled from the profession in 2021. The suspect, Ufuk A, claimed that he had psychological problems and was taking psychiatric medication, and he also alleged that his relationship with his family was bad.
"I WENT TO HELP WITH THE FIRE EXTINGUISHING EFFORTS"
Ufuk Aytekin stated that the vehicle with the license plate 03 HK 184 belonged to him, and he had bought this pickup two weeks ago. He expressed that on July 27, around 21:30, he purchased two 5-liter bottles of water from a gas station on the Harmancık-Bursa highway where he had previously worked.
After emptying the water from the plastic bottles, Ufuk A claimed that he bought 10 liters of gasoline to use in a cutting machine, and he continued his statement as follows: "My aim is to help the officials working there. After buying gasoline, I went to Çakmak Neighborhood to help with the fire extinguishing efforts. When I realized that there was no need for help here, I turned back from the center of Harmancık.
"I WANTED TO BURN THE FOREST AREA BY THE ROAD IN A MOMENT OF EMOTIONAL STATE"
When I entered the Kışmanlar village road, I wanted to burn the forest area by the road in a moment of emotional state. At the same time, I wanted the environment in the village to become chaotic and for there to be confusion among the villagers. I got out of my vehicle. As far as I remember, it was around 22:30. I walked 10 meters into the forest area from the roadside. These trees, as far as I remember, were pine trees. I poured the gasoline from one of the 5-liter canisters I took from the car at the base of the trees; the other canister remained in the car, and then I lit the match. At that moment, suddenly the area caught fire, and I couldn't understand what was happening. My phone, which was in my right pocket, fell into the flames. I ran away from the scene in fear."
"I DID NOT RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM ANY TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, I REGRET IT"
In his statement, Ufuk A mentioned that he had burns on his left hand and left ankle, and he noted: "I carried out this act in a moment of emotional state and negligence. After the incident, I went home. I live alone. I have no connection with any terrorist organization. I did not receive instructions from any terrorist organization while carrying out this act. I deeply regret this act. I carried out this act entirely on my own decision. I do not know if someone caused the fires that occurred in other parts of Bursa. If someone did, I do not know them. I have no contact with anyone. I accept the accusation against me."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The fire that started on July 26 between the Orhaneli and Harmancık districts of Bursa grew due to the wind, and as a precaution, the rural neighborhoods of Dutluca, Ilıcaksu, Çamoğlu, Çatalsöğüt, and Çakmak in Harmancık district, as well as Yakuplar Neighborhood in Orhaneli district and Gedikler Neighborhood in Büyükorhan district were evacuated. Ufuk Aytekin was detained in connection with the fire. The suspect, who was stated by the Bursa Governorship to have been processed in the past due to his connections with FETÖ, was arrested after the procedures at the police station and was referred to the courthouse.