16.10.2026 10:50
The mystery behind the murder of Ömer Şenol, who was found heavily injured in a forested area in the Kemalpaşa district of İzmir 3 years ago and died in the hospital where he was taken, has been unraveled. As re-examined evidence and communication records changed the course of the investigation, 4 of 13 suspects were arrested. Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 68 murders in 61 cases have been solved to date.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated in a post on his X account that efforts to solve unsolved murders are continuing with determination. Gürlek, who reported that incidents involving 68 homicide victims and 7 injured people in 61 cases have been solved to date, announced that a murder committed 3 years ago in the Kemalpaşa district of İzmir was also solved as a result of the work carried out.
3-YEAR-OLD MURDER CASE REOPENED
According to the information provided by Minister Gürlek, the case of Ömer Şenol, who was found severely injured in a wooded area in the Kemalpaşa district of İzmir on September 19, 2023, and died in the hospital where he was taken, was reopened for examination. Within the scope of the investigation, existing evidence and communication records were re-evaluated.
As a result of the work carried out under the coordination of the Kemalpaşa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by the Kemalpaşa District Gendarmerie Command and JASAT teams, new findings regarding the murder were obtained.
4 OF 13 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Within the scope of the investigation, 9 suspects were caught and taken into custody in simultaneous operations held on October 15, 2026. In line with new findings obtained from the suspects' statements and location identification procedures, the investigation was expanded.
With the inclusion of 4 more suspects in the case, 4 people were arrested, while judicial control decisions were issued for 9 suspects.
"WE WILL NOT FORGET ANY MURDER"
Emphasizing that efforts to solve unsolved murders will continue, Minister Gürlek stated that no matter how much time passes, evidence will be traced. Gürlek thanked the prosecutor's office and law enforcement units conducting the investigation and stated that they will not give up on any unsolved case.
Minister Gürlek's statement is as follows:
"EVEN IF YEARS PASS, WE WILL NOT GIVE UP ON ANY UNSOLVED CASE: WE HAVE REMOVED 68 MURDERS IN 61 CASES FROM THE UNSOLVED CATEGORY!
Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we continue our work with determination so that no murder remains in the dark, the material truth is revealed, and families' expectations for justice are met.
Under the coordination of our Department of Unsolved Crimes Investigation, through the meticulous work of our Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices and law enforcement units, we have shed light on another murder committed in İzmir 3 years ago. Thus, to date, we have brought to light incidents involving 68 homicide victims and 7 injured people in 61 cases.
On September 19, 2023, the case of Ömer Şenol, who was found severely injured in a wooded area in the Kemalpaşa district of İzmir and died in the hospital where he was taken, was reconsidered. Existing evidence and communication records were re-evaluated.
As a result of the work carried out under the coordination of our Kemalpaşa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by our Kemalpaşa District Gendarmerie Command and our JASAT teams, 9 suspects were caught and taken into custody in a simultaneous operation held on October 15, 2026.
With new findings obtained as a result of suspect statements and the location identification process, the investigation was deepened. After 4 more suspects were included in the case, 4 suspects were arrested, and judicial control decisions were issued for 9 suspects.
I thank our Kemalpaşa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, our Kemalpaşa District Gendarmerie Command, our JASAT teams, and all public officials who contributed to the investigation, which was conducted meticulously.
No matter how much time passes, we will continue to trace every piece of evidence in unsolved cases, to shed light on incidents in all their aspects, and to work so that those responsible are held accountable before justice.
We will not forget any murder, and we will not give up on any unsolved case!"