23.07.2026 06:50
Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu’s lawyer Mustafa Selami Ekici made striking statements in the investigation, claiming that Enver Altaylı, who was convicted of FETÖ membership and military espionage, could be one of the figures behind the helicopter crash in which Yazıcıoğlu lost his life.
The investigation into the helicopter crash that claimed the life of BBP Founding Chairman Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu in 2009 has returned to the center of the agenda after 17 years. Following the detention of 27 suspects in the latest operation, 19 of whom were arrested, new names and allegations have emerged in the investigation. For the first time, the name of FETÖ convict Enver Altaylı has also been included in the file.
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE QUESTIONS ENVER ALTAYLI
In the investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, former Air Forces Command Chief of Staff Ali Armağan, who flew an F-4 fighter jet in the region on the day of the crash and was implicated in allegations regarding the helicopter's downing, was interviewed.
Armağan was asked whether he knew Mustafa Özcan, Osman Hilmi Özdil (Kozanlı Ömer), Adil Öksüz, Harun Biniş, Kemal Batmaz, and Enver Altaylı, who are among the senior figures of FETÖ, and whether he had held meetings or telephone conversations with these individuals. Armağan claimed he did not know the mentioned names and did not hold any meetings during the specified period. Thus, Enver Altaylı's name entered the official investigation file for the first time.
ALLEGATION: "HE KNEW ABOUT THE ACCIDENT BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE"
Yazıcıoğlu family lawyer Mustafa Selami Ekici reiterated the FETÖ connection allegations he has raised for years. Ekici claimed that Enver Altaylı knew about the helicopter crash before official authorities and the public.
Speaking to Yeni Şafak newspaper, Ekici alleged that BBP executives were informed of the accident by Enver Altaylı around 15:15. Noting that journalist İsmail Güneş, who was on the helicopter, called the 112 Emergency Call Center at 15:26 to report the crash, Ekici argued that this time difference should be investigated.
ALLEGATIONS REGARDING SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS
Ekici also claimed that retired Lieutenant Colonel Ercüment Güler, who took part in the search and rescue activities following the accident, should be thoroughly examined as part of the investigation.
Stating that there are allegations that Güler directed teams to the wrong area, Ekici argued that although the location of the wreckage was identified as a narrow area early on, the searches were concentrated in a different region. He also stated that Güler's connection with Enver Altaylı should be investigated.
ALLEGATION: "THOSE WHO WATCHED THE FOOTAGE DIED UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES"
Mustafa Selami Ekici also made striking allegations regarding a footage allegedly taken after the accident. Ekici said that according to information reaching them, individuals dressed in black were present at the scene and it was claimed that Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu was seen sitting in the footage.
While Ekici alleged that BBP co-founder Emrullah Önalan, who said he watched the said footage, saw it through journalist Ahmet Akpak, he noted that both Akpak and his son later died, stating that this situation should also be investigated.
DETECTION OF 152 CONTACTS WITH ADİL ÖKSÜZ
According to information in the investigation file, various findings regarding former Air Forces Command Chief of Staff Ali Armağan's connection with FETÖ also exist.
The file stated that Armağan was in Malatya five days before the incident, later used an operational line for organizational activities, and was determined to have communicated 152 times with Adil Öksüz, identified as FETÖ's clandestine Air Forces imam. Additionally, the investigation file included information that fingerprints belonging to Armağan's wife, Şerife Armağan, were found on a book seized at Adil Öksüz's home.