02.01.2026 22:35
An important stage has been completed in the investigation regarding the incident in which 1-year-old Altay Toprak Kınalı lost his life after a pesticide application in an apartment in the Konak district of Izmir. The indictment prepared for the two detained suspects regarding the charge of "intentional murder using chemical weapons" has been accepted by the 1st Heavy Criminal Court, seeking life imprisonment for each. Additionally, for the poisoning of 5 individuals, the indictment seeks up to 4 years of imprisonment for each suspect on the charge of "intentional injury with a weapon."
In an apartment in the Konak district of İzmir, a 1-year-old Altay Toprak Kınalı lost his life after a pest control operation, and 5 people were poisoned. An indictment prepared with a request for life imprisonment for the 2 detained suspects for the crime of "intentional killing using chemical weapons" has been accepted.
The indictment prepared within the scope of the investigation conducted by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was accepted by the İzmir 1st Heavy Criminal Court. The suspects will appear before the judge in the coming days.
PEST CONTROL TRAGEDY
The incident occurred on November 11, 2024, in a 4-story apartment building located in the Kahramanlar neighborhood of the Konak district. After the pest control operation conducted on the top floor of the building, the residents became unwell. Upon notification, AFAD's CBRN teams, firefighters, and health officials were dispatched to the address.
Among those poisoned, 1-year-old Altay Toprak Kınalı was revived in the hospital despite his heart stopping 5 times, but he passed away 3 days later.
AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE WAS USED
In the reports of AFAD and the expert, it was determined that agricultural pesticides named "Kingphos" and "Grainphos," which are banned for use in residential areas, were used in the pest control operation. Gas measurements indicated that the values were significantly above normal.
The Forensic Medicine Institution reports stated that baby Altay died as a result of exposure to phosphine gas.
THE SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED AGAIN
Within the scope of the investigation, the owner of the cleaning and pest control company, agricultural engineer Bülent Öz, and Eyüp Gödelezli, who assisted in the pest control, were arrested again. Ethem Gödelezli, who facilitated the pest control, was released under judicial control.
"INAPPROPRIATE PESTICIDE CHOSEN FOR HUMAN LIVING SPACE"
The indictment emphasized that the pest control was carried out recklessly, that no warnings were given to the building residents, that isolation measures were not taken, and that gas measurements were not conducted. The expert report stated that necessary safety rules were not followed at any stage of the process.
2 SUSPECTS WILL BE TRIED WITH A REQUEST FOR LIFE IMPRISONMENT
The prosecution requested life imprisonment for Bülent Öz and Eyüp Gödelezli for the crime of "intentional killing using chemical weapons," and up to 20 years in prison for each regarding the poisoning of 5 people for the crime of "intentional injury with a weapon."