06.10.2025 23:04
It is claimed that the Dalton crime organization is behind the armed assassination of lawyer Serdar Öktem, and a statement has been made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The statement noted that 2 of the 6 suspects captured are under the age of 18, and it was stated that "the act is assessed to have been carried out as a result of a grudge held by an organized crime group against the victim."
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made a statement regarding the armed assassination of lawyer Serdar Öktem, a key figure in the Sinan Ateş murder case, stating, "The murder is believed to have been committed as a result of a feud fostered by an organized crime group."
Lawyer Serdar Öktem, who is on trial for the murder of former Ülkü Ocakları General President Sinan Ateş, was attacked while waiting in traffic towards the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. Öktem lost his life as a result of the attack.
STATEMENT FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
As the assassination made headlines, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a statement regarding the armed attack that resulted in the death of lawyer Serdar Öktem, a key figure in the murder of former Ülkü Ocakları General President Sinan Ateş.
The statement noted that two of the six suspects captured are under 18 years old, and it was stated, "The murder is believed to have been committed as a result of a feud fostered by an organized crime group."
"SUSPECTS CAPTURED IN ARNAVUTKÖY"
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office included the following statements in its announcement: "The statement regarding the Serdar Öktem murder by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was made in connection with the incident on 6/10/2025 (today) in which the individual named Serdar Öktem lost his life as a result of an armed attack carried out in the Zincirlikuyu neighborhood of Şişli district in our city.
According to the evidence gathered from eyewitness testimonies and video footage, a total of six suspects were captured, including five suspects who were identified as having committed the act and one suspect who was found to have assisted the escape of the perpetrators after the incident. Two of the suspects are under 18 years old. The individuals who committed the act were captured in the vicinity of Arnavutköy after fleeing the scene. During the search and investigation activities conducted by the security forces at the location where they were apprehended, weapons used in the incident (a total of four weapons, including two Kalashnikovs and two handguns) and items such as ski masks and gloves were seized. Detailed examinations are ongoing both at the crime scene and in the area where the weapons were found.
"COMMITTED DUE TO A FEUD WITH A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION"
Initial assessments suggest that the act was carried out as a result of a feud held by an organized crime group against the victim. The investigation related to the incident will continue to be deepened by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Organized Crime Investigation Bureau, including efforts to identify the instigators and to determine whether the organized crime group was used as a contractor in the incident. This is announced for the information of the public."
"THE DALTONS MAY CARRY OUT AN ATTACK, PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN"
Additionally, it has emerged that the Istanbul Police Department sent a letter to the Bakırköy and Şişli district police departments on August 25, stating that a suspect had indicated that the Dalton Crime Organization would carry out an attack against Öktem and that measures should be taken for Öktem's safety.
The letter sent by the police included the following statements: "In relation to an ongoing investigation conducted by our department, it has been understood that members of the Dalton Crime Organization have made statements indicating that an action will be carried out against the individual named Lawyer Serdar ÖKTEM. It has been determined through open and closed source inquiries that he has a residence in Ataköy and an office in Şişli, and I request that necessary judicial and administrative measures be taken for the safety of the individual named Serdar ÖKTEM."
'THE ASSASSINATION WAS CLAIMED BY THE DALTONS'
Furthermore, it has been claimed that the Dalton Crime Organization has taken responsibility for the assassination. It was reported that some social media posts made by individuals alleged to be members of the crime organization stated that the revenge for Caner Kocer, who was killed in Spain last August, had been taken. Kocer was said to be one of the high-ranking members of the organization.