06.04.2026 18:41
In the trial against Ayhan Bora Kaplan related to the criminal organization, striking allegations emerged during the first hearing of the retrial, which resumed after the Court of Appeals' annulment decision and the consolidation of files. Serdar Sertçelik claimed in his defense that he was coerced into becoming a secret witness through assault, threats, and pressure, and he alleged that guidance was provided in an environment referred to as the "interview room" during the process.
Ayhan Bora Kaplan's retrial process began after the Court of Appeals' annulment decision in the case against the criminal organization. The first hearing of the case, which includes 76 defendants, among them detained suspects, police officers, lawyers, and secret witnesses, was held at the Ankara 32nd High Criminal Court.
WIDELY ATTENDED HEARING
During the hearing at the Sincan Prison Campus, detained defendants, including Kaplan, were present. Former police executives Şevket Demircan, Murat Çelik, and Kerem Gökay Öner also attended the hearing. Some police officers connected via SEGBİS.
The first defense was made by the secret witness and defendant coded M7, Serdar Sertçelik, who claimed that his name was not initially included in the case and was added later. Sertçelik argued that the sole basis for the accusations against him was his own secret witness statement.
“I WAS MADE A SECRET WITNESS THROUGH ASSAULT AND THREATS”
Sertçelik used striking statements, claiming he was forced to become a secret witness. He stated, “I was made to incriminate myself,” asserting that he gave his statement under threats, pressure, and assault. He claimed he was told that a prepared text would be given to him and that his statements were directed.
In his defense, Sertçelik mentioned an environment he referred to as the “interview room,” where he alleged that pressure, threats, and blackmail were applied to suspects under the guise of preliminary interviews. He claimed that after obtaining the desired statements, the official process was initiated.
ALLEGATION OF THREATS THROUGH FAMILY
Sertçelik stated that he was threatened through his brother throughout the process, claiming that it was said, “There is no escape from this case,” and that his family was used as a pressure element. He argued that his becoming a secret witness occurred against his will.
According to his claims, while under house arrest with an electronic bracelet, he experienced a loosening of control, and after an incident, he fled due to the possibility of being re-arrested. He stated that he was caught in Greece and later applied for asylum. He asserted that threats continued during this process.
“POLITICAL FIGURES WERE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CASE”
Sertçelik claimed that some political figures were intended to be included in the case, asserting that this was a “setup.” For this reason, he stated that he recorded his conversations and disclosed the events that occurred.
Sertçelik alleged that there was also manipulation in the media aspect of the process, claiming that connections were established with some journalists and that an attempt was made to create a perception in the public.
DIALOGUE WITH THE COURT PRESIDENT
In response to the court president's warning to “Wrap it up,” Sertçelik said, “I have been waiting for this day for 3 years.” The court president replied, “You should have come earlier.”