19.06.2026 07:50
Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of İBB Culture Inc., who was kidnapped by unidentified individuals from in front of his home in Istanbul, was found in Tuzla. The number of detentions in the investigation into the kidnapping of Karaal, who was rescued in an operation described as being like a movie by police teams, has risen to 7. It was reported that Karaal's health condition is good.
Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of İBB Kültür A.Ş., who was abducted in an armed and organized manner in front of his home in Istanbul, was found alive in Tuzla during a police operation. The number of detentions in the investigation into the abduction has risen to 7, and it has been learned that Karaal's health condition is good.
ABDUCTED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME
Erhan Karaal, acting Deputy General Manager of Financial and Administrative Affairs at İBB Kültür A.Ş., was abducted by unidentified individuals while about to get into his vehicle in front of his home in Maltepe around 21:00 yesterday.
According to allegations, individuals who got out of another vehicle attacked Karaal. Based on information from his family, the attackers hit Karaal on the head, then put a sack over his head and forcibly placed him in the vehicle. It has been learned that Karaal's daughter witnessed the incident.
FAKE LICENSE PLATE DETAIL DRAWS ATTENTION
Initial findings from the investigation revealed that the incident was carried out in a planned manner. It was determined that the license plate used on the vehicle in which Karaal was abducted was created by copying the license plate of a vehicle belonging to his neighbor.
Police teams considered the possibility that the suspects used a fake license plate to cover their tracks.
LAST SIGNAL CAME FROM KARTAL
Following the abduction, teams launched a comprehensive operation and determined that the last signal from Erhan Karaal's mobile phone was received in the Kartal district.
Karaal's wife, Ayşe Karaal, stated that he had no disputes, saying, 'He had no enemies, and there were no receivables or payables issues.'
CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TAKES ACTION
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an ex officio investigation into the alleged abduction of Erhan Karaal. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office instructed security units to locate the victim and apprehend the suspects.
In the initial phase of the investigation, 2 individuals considered to be connected to the incident were detained, and the number of detentions rose to 7 in the following hours.
RESCUED IN POLICE OPERATION
As a result of technical and physical surveillance conducted by the Istanbul Police Department, the address where Erhan Karaal was held in Tuzla was identified. Karaal was rescued alive in a conducted operation.
Officials reported that Karaal's health condition is good and that his statement will be taken after necessary checks.
ABDUCTION MOMENT ON CAMERA
Meanwhile, new footage related to the incident has emerged. The images, provided by the İhlas News Agency, show the moment when the vehicle in which Karaal was allegedly forcibly placed quickly sped away from the street. Police teams continue their efforts to identify the suspects and their roles in the incident based on the footage.
WHO IS ERHAN KARAAL?
Erhan Karaal, a graduate of the Business Administration department, started working as the Financial Affairs Manager at İBB Kültür A.Ş. on November 1, 2019. Karaal was appointed as the acting Deputy General Manager of Financial and Administrative Affairs on May 12, 2025. Married and a father of two, Karaal is known to have worked within İBB for many years.