06.02.2025 21:30
A dispatch regarding the suspects arrested in the investigation of the 'Çekdar' criminal organization in Istanbul has been obtained. The document states that all suspects, who are members of the organization, systematically tortured and mistreated the victims at a massage parlor for approximately 6 hours. It was noted that the victims were subjected to torture by having cologne poured on the wounds inflicted on their bodies with glass shards.
The investigation initiated by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's Terror and Organized Crime Investigation Bureau into the armed criminal organization led by fugitive suspect Ömer Baran Kandemir, codenamed "Çekdar," who is wanted by Interpol, continues. The investigation covers charges of "establishing, managing, and being a member of a criminal organization," "qualified robbery, torture, infliction of suffering, and deprivation of liberty," "violation of the inviolability of residence and workplace," "intentional injury with monstrous feelings," and "illegal recording of personal data." In the operation conducted within the scope of the investigation, 11 suspects, including one child who was led into crime, were arrested.
"VICTIMS WERE SYSTEMATICALLY TORTURED AND SUBJECTED TO ABUSE" In the dispatch written by the prosecutor's office to the court requesting the suspects' arrest, it was stated that the shootings in question were carried out by suspect Serhat Ö. under the organization's orders, and it was noted that the victims were systematically tortured and abused.
THEY POURED COLOGNE ON THE WOUNDS THEY INFLICTED WITH GLASS PIECES The document stated that the victims, who were beaten by members of the criminal organization, were tortured by having cologne poured on the wounds inflicted on their bodies with glass pieces, and that weapons were inserted into their mouths. It emphasized that all suspects systematically inflicted torture and abuse on the victims for approximately 6 hours by establishing joint control, and that moments of torture were recorded to prevent the victims from filing complaints and to instill fear, while the victims' money, mobile phones, and valuables were seized.
"I DID NOT PREDICT THAT EVENTS WOULD ESCALATE TO THIS EXTENT" One of the arrested suspects, Mehtap Y., claimed during the court interrogation that she did not act collectively with anyone or any organization, stating, "I have no connection with anyone, I do not know anyone. I was also threatened by the organization named Çekdar. I learned through Serhat and Cihan that it would be my turn. I also received messages from foreign numbers regarding this matter. I learned about the shooting of the workplace from Cihan. I regret what happened. I request to be tried without detention."
Suspect Cihan Ö. stated in his testimony that he had no intention of robbery and claimed that he did not predict that events would escalate to this extent, explaining that he acted out of fear during the incident and recorded the events. He noted that after the incident at the spa, the money and valuables of those present were taken, and some suspects shared this among themselves, asserting that he had no involvement in this incident and requested to be tried without detention.
Suspect Serhat Ö., who is alleged to have carried out the attack, stated that he is a male hairdresser and that he knows suspect Mehtap Y. from the neighborhood, asserting, "I have no connection with the shooting of the workplace or the organization named Çekdar. They are placing the blame on me to save themselves."
INVESTIGATION Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Organized Crime Fighting Branch, coordinated by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, had initiated work to capture the suspects who carried out armed attacks on a business center in Ümraniye and a workplace in Sancaktepe. After identifying the perpetrator of the attack, the teams captured suspect Serhat Ö. in an operation they conducted.
VIDEOS OF TORTURE HAD EMERGED Teams examining the digital materials seized from the suspect found footage showing that a foreign national woman and two men were held at gunpoint in a massage parlor in Ümraniye, and that the naked victims were subjected to acts such as wounding with glass pieces, beating, and sexual harassment. As the teams deepened their investigations, they also detained 10 more suspects identified as being involved in the incidents.