15.04.2026 10:04
Durmuş Ali Arslan, who caused the death of 70-year-old Hamit Sunbat in an armed brawl that broke out in Antalya due to a debt issue, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime of intentional homicide.
The verdict has been issued in the case regarding the armed brawl that broke out in Antalya over a debt issue and resulted in the death of 70-year-old Hamit Sunbat. Former Aksu Mayoral Candidate Durmuş Ali Arslan, who was tried in custody, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The incident occurred on April 18, 2025, around 13:00 at a workplace located on Şahinler Street in Fatih Neighborhood, Aksu district of Antalya. Durmuş Ali Arslan, former Nation Alliance Aksu Mayoral Candidate and former Deputy Secretary General of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, went to the workplace to meet with Sebahattin Sunbat, to whom he was a creditor. During the argument that broke out between the parties, Sebahattin Sunbat's father, Hamit Sunbat (70), was seriously injured by a gunshot. Sunbat, who was taken to Antalya Training and Research Hospital by health teams dispatched to the scene upon notification, could not be saved despite all interventions performed 4 days after the incident. Arslan, who was detained after the incident, was arrested by the court he was brought before. A case was filed against the defendant with charges of "intentional killing," "attempted killing," "threat with a weapon," and "possession of an unlicensed weapon."
DECISION HEARING HELD Defendant Durmuş Ali Arslan, who is in custody, the complainants Hayati Sunbat, Azize Sunbat, Sebahattin Sunbat, Enes Sunbat, Sibel Gökalp, Selma Haktanır, and their attorneys attended the 5th hearing held at Antalya 5th High Criminal Court. During the hearing, the defendant and the party attorneys presented their statements on the merits.
In his defense, Arslan claimed that on the day of the incident, Sebahattin Sunbat told him he was in Konyaaltı and would pay part of his debt, and argued that he wanted to confide in Tamer Ertürk and that there was no intent in his going to the workplace. Arslan, who alleged that he asked Sebahattin Sunbat why he constantly lied, said, "When first Tamer, then Sebahattin started coming towards me, I began to retreat. While Tamer was pulling me back, Sebahattin also stood up and wanted to walk towards me. I was afraid of Sebahattin because I knew he had a gun. I went there only to talk about my debt. During this time, I fired into the air. While I was trying to retreat and move away, Sebahattin was 2-3 meters away from me. I had no intention of aiming or hitting him with the gun. Even though there was a possibility of hitting Sebahattin, I did not want it; the bullet hit the deceased. Later, I went outside. When Sebahattin cursed at me, I also fired into the air outside. Then, I went back inside and asked for an ambulance to be called. I wanted to defend myself. I didn't understand how the incident happened with that anger and fear. I did not take any action against Hamit Sunbat; I share their pain. This incident occurred through negligence; I did not take any action against the deceased."
"THIS INCIDENT WAS CARRIED OUT PLANNED" The complainants stated that they filed a complaint against the defendant and demanded his punishment in the most severe manner. Complainant attorney Mehmet Nasih Aydın argued that the defendant went to the scene prepared, saying, "The defendant went with the gun ready and fired. The deceased was at the scene for his son; this incident is not an accident, it was carried out planned. The defendant went there to shoot and kill Sebahattin."
Aydın stated that they also did not accept claims of deviation and ricochet in the target, saying, "The environment where the defendant fired is a closed environment; he fired at people sitting close together, this is not deviation in target, this is not an acceptable situation. Also, the defense's statements that the defendant did not know the deceased are true, but not knowing someone does not give anyone the right to kill anyone."
THE COURT ANNOUNCED ITS VERDICT After the statements of the party attorneys, the court panel announced its decision, sentencing defendant Durmuş Ali Arslan to life imprisonment for the crime of intentional killing against Hamit Sunbat. The panel decided that the defendant be punished with 10 years of imprisonment for the crime of attempted intentional killing against Sebahattin Sunbat, while converting the 6-month imprisonment sentence for the threat crime against Tamer Ertürk to a judicial fine of 18,000 TL. The court also ruled that Arslan be applied 2 years 6 months of imprisonment and a 250-day judicial fine for the crime of carrying an unlicensed pistol.