03.06.2026 10:51
In Diyarbakır, a striking development occurred in the trial of Bülent Arpacı, who is being prosecuted for killing 22-year-old Merve Nur Yararlık by shooting her with a pistol in a cafe at a shopping mall and faces an aggravated life sentence. The indictment revealed that the father of the deceased young woman stated the incident was accidental and withdrew his complaint, while the mother also did not file a complaint.
In Diyarbakır, the court decided to refer Bülent Arpacı, who is standing trial on charges of killing Merve Nur Yararlık (22) and injuring S.K. at a café in a shopping mall entrance, to the Forensic Medicine Institute to determine whether he is mentally competent. He faces aggravated life imprisonment and 15 to 24 years in prison. The hearing was adjourned to July 16.
The incident occurred on March 8, 2025, at a café at the entrance of a shopping mall on the Şanlıurfa highway. Bülent Arpacı arrived at the café and opened fire with a pistol from outside. The bullet struck Merve Nur Yararlık, who was sitting in the café, in the neck. S.K. was also injured in the incident, which was captured on security cameras. Upon notification, health and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Medical personnel confirmed that Yararlık had died, while S.K. was taken to the hospital for treatment after initial intervention. Merve Nur Yararlık's body was buried at Yeniköy Asri Cemetery after an autopsy at the Forensic Medicine Institute.
MERVE NUR'S FAMILY WITHDREW THEIR COMPLAINT
Murder suspect Bülent Arpacı was caught in an operation at the Pirinçlik area by teams from the Public Security Branch Criminal Investigation Bureau. After legal procedures, Arpacı was referred to the courthouse and arrested by the court. The indictment prepared by the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the detained suspect Bülent Arpacı was accepted by the 3rd Heavy Penal Court. The indictment seeks aggravated life imprisonment and 15 to 24 years in prison for the detained suspect Bülent Arpacı on charges of 'Intentional killing', 'Attempted intentional killing', and 'Purchasing, carrying, or possessing ammunition for unlicensed firearms'. The indictment noted that on May 20, Merve Nur Yararlık's father withdrew his complaint, stating the death occurred by accident, and her mother declared she was not a complainant.
RELEASE REQUEST
At the third hearing held at the Diyarbakır 3rd Heavy Penal Court, the detained suspect Bülent Arpacı, lawyers for both parties, and a lawyer from the Ministry of Family and Social Services attended. In his defense during the hearing, suspect Bülent Arpacı claimed he did not know Merve Nur Yararlık and that the incident happened by accident. Additionally, Arpacı, who stated he was ill, requested his release so he could receive treatment.
MENTAL COMPETENCE TO BE EVALUATED
The public prosecutor argued for the continuation of the suspect's detention due to the nature of the crime, the current state of evidence, and the risk of flight. The lawyer from the Ministry of Family and Social Services also requested that the suspect remain in custody. The court panel decided to refer the suspect to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute to determine whether he is mentally competent. The panel rejected the suspect's request for release, ordered the continuation of his detention, and adjourned the hearing to July 16.