14.07.2026 13:20
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the file concerning the death of BBP Chairman Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu in a helicopter crash. Gürlek stated that among those detained, there were individuals with ties to FETÖ.
Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu, the founding Chairman of the Great Unity Party (BBP), took off in a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger helicopter on March 25, 2009, heading to Yerköy district of Yozgat after a rally in Çağlayancerit district of Kahramanmaraş as part of local election campaigns. The helicopter crashed in the Keş Dağı region of Göksun district, Kahramanmaraş; along with Yazıcıoğlu, BBP Sivas Provincial Chairman Erhan Üstündağ, Deputy Provincial Chairman Yüksel Yancı, Municipal Council Candidate Murat Çetinkaya, İHA reporter İsmail Güneş, and pilot Mustafa Kaya İstektepe lost their lives.
STATEMENT FROM MINISTER GÜRLEK
Following this tragic incident, the case file was sent to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on June 12 to continue proceedings. As the repercussions of the event continued, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made significant statements regarding the investigation while answering journalists' questions after the Cabinet Meeting.
"THERE ARE THOSE WITH TIES TO FETÖ AMONG THE SUSPECTS"
Minister Gürlek stated that new detentions had occurred in the investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, saying, "The investigation is being carried out by our Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. There have been new detentions. Among those taken into custody are retired soldiers."
In response to the question, "Are there those with ties to FETÖ among the suspects in the investigation?", Gürlek replied, "Yes, there are."
SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONS AT 30 ADDRESSES
In a statement from Minister Gürlek's social media account, it was noted that 29 suspects were identified within the scope of the investigation. It was reported that simultaneous operations were carried out at 30 addresses across 10 provinces, centered in Ankara, concerning charges of 'establishing, managing, and being a member of an armed terrorist organization' and 'premeditated intentional homicide' against the suspects.
It was noted that 25 suspects were detained in the operation, 2 of the suspects were already in prison, and 2 were abroad. It was stated that efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspects are ongoing.