20.02.2026 18:02
In Trabzon, Mehmet Altuntaş (27), who is being tried for killing Arif (67) and Gülizar Altuntaş (61) and their cousin Kasım Altuntaş (66) during a land dispute fight and for setting fire to the mountain house they were staying in, was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for 'intentional killing with monstrous feelings or inflicting torture' and to 12 years, 3 months, and 15 days in prison for 'qualified theft.' His brother Atilla Altuntaş (17) also received a total prison sentence of 27 years.
In Trabzon, during a fight that broke out due to a land dispute, the couple Arif and Gülizar Altuntaş, along with their cousin Kasım Altuntaş, lost their lives. Brothers Mehmet and Atilla Altuntaş were sentenced to heavy prison terms on charges of murder.
On August 21, 2024, a fire broke out in the single-story house belonging to Arif Altuntaş in the Haçovit Plateau of the Araklı district. As the flames quickly engulfed the entire house, fire and medical teams were dispatched to the area following a report.
3 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, ALTUNTAŞ BROTHERS WERE ARRESTED
While the fire was extinguished by the teams, it was determined that Arif and Gülizar Altuntaş, along with their cousin Kasım Altuntaş, had lost their lives in the house. Arif Altuntaş's nephew Mehmet, his brother Atilla Altuntaş, and their relative M. A. were taken into custody, as it was assessed that they had set the house on fire by pouring flammable substances. The Altuntaş brothers, whose procedures were completed by the gendarmerie, were arrested, while the other suspect was released.
"I WANT TO REGAIN MY FREEDOM"
In the investigation regarding the death of 3 people in the plateau, a case was opened against the Altuntaş brothers at the Trabzon 3rd Heavy Criminal Court. Detained defendants Mehmet and Atilla Altuntaş attended the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). During the hearing, when asked for their final words, Mehmet Altuntaş expressed regret, while Atilla Altuntaş, who claimed his innocence, stated, "I want to regain my freedom and go back to school."
PENALTIES RAINED DOWN
The court panel sentenced Mehmet Altuntaş to aggravated life imprisonment for 'intentional killing with monstrous feelings or torture' and to 12 years, 3 months, and 15 days in prison for 'qualified theft.' The other defendant, Atilla Altuntaş, received a total of 27 years in prison for two different crimes, with a reduction due to being under 18 at the time of the offense.