04.12.2025 13:42
The Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has requested the Ministry of Justice to issue a red notice for the suspect Erdal Timurtaş, who fled to England after stealing 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver from the Sequestration Office of the Büyükçekmece Courthouse.
The long absence of the accounting officer Erdal Timurtaş, who works in the Custody Office of the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, was reported to the Public Prosecutor. Following this, the Chief Public Prosecutor, along with the officials, had the custody office room and the safes inside opened. During the search, it was determined that approximately 50 kilograms of silver and about 25 kilograms of gold were missing.
HE SENT A MESSAGE TO HIS FRIENDS SAYING "MAY ALLAH GIVE YOU A MARKET"
Upon the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the accounting officer Erdal Timurtaş and another suspect, Kemal D. In the investigation, it was found that Erdal Timurtaş had fled to England with his family on November 19, 2025, around 08:22. The other suspect, Kemal D., was captured and taken into custody at his address. Additionally, it was learned that the suspect Erdal Timurtaş had written to his friends on the WhatsApp application, "I sold the goods, may Allah give you a market."
HE HAD BEEN WORKING AT THE COURTHOUSE SINCE 2021
Meanwhile, the investigation into the shocking incident is being conducted meticulously by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. According to the information obtained, it was learned that the suspect Erdal Timurtaş worked in a service staff position, did not have the key to the judicial custody safe, and only had the key to the room. Additionally, it was revealed that another suspect, Kemal D., had been working as a clerk at the courthouse since 2021, and he had the keys to both the judicial custody safe and the judicial custody room, while Erdal Timurtaş started working in 2022.
LAST INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED 2 MONTHS AGO
According to the information obtained, the judicial custody door is a steel door that operates with a double key system, and these safes are inspected every two months, with the last inspection having been conducted two months ago, and no negative findings were reported. It was learned that the incident was noticed by the Public Prosecutor during a routine inspection in the office.
FAKE CITIZENSHIP OPERATION REVEALED THE JEWELS
Additionally, it was revealed that the gold stolen by Erdal Timurtaş was among the jewels seized during an operation conducted against 113 suspects who were detained as part of a fake citizenship investigation centered in Istanbul across 19 provinces.
REQUEST FOR A RED NOTICE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
While the investigation conducted by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues, individuals that the suspect may have been able to connect with during the incident are being investigated one by one. As the investigation deepens, it has been reported that a request for a red notice has been made to the Ministry of Justice for the suspect Erdal Timurtaş and his wife Esma Timurtaş, who fled to England.
Furthermore, it is expected that another suspect, Kemal D., who was taken into custody, will be brought to the courthouse in the coming hours.