30.05.2025 17:12
In the murder of Prof. Dr. Bekir Karasu, whose lifeless body was found with a severed throat in the Porsuk River in Eskişehir, two defendants of Iranian nationality were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment and 13 years in prison each. One of the defendants, who accused the other of the crime, claimed that he had met Karasu online five years ago and that they had arranged to meet on the day of the incident for sexual purposes.
Prof. Dr. Bekir Karasu, who works in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Eskişehir Technical University (ESTU), was last heard from after leaving his home on June 27 last year. When his family and relatives could not reach Prof. Dr. Karasu during their searches in the area, they filed a missing person report with the Eskişehir Police Department. In the police investigation, it was determined that Karasu's vehicle with license plate 26 AIT 169 last passed through Nabi Avcı Boulevard in the Büyükdere neighborhood of the Odunpazarı district.
THEY WERE CAUGHT PREPARING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY In the examination of the Mobese and security cameras; it was found that on the day he went missing, Karasu's vehicle was used by Iranian nationals Majid Sohafi (38) and Hojjat Shabanlouei (35), who had been living in Eskişehir for 6 years, and it was later determined that the suspects fled to Adana. Both suspects were caught and detained while preparing to leave the country.
Another suspect, G.İ.E. (45), who is alleged to have taken the Iranian suspects to Adana and assisted them in their escape, and F.T. (46), as well as H.Y. (44), who is considered to be related to the murder, were detained in Eskişehir.
HIS BODY WAS FOUND WITH HIS THROAT CUT While the Iranian suspects blamed each other for the murder, the body of Prof. Dr. Bekir Karasu was found in the Porsuk River, which runs through the rural Kızılinler neighborhood of the Odunpazarı district. The examination revealed that Karasu's throat had been deeply cut. His vehicle was found abandoned in an empty lot on Sırma Street in the Esentepe neighborhood, with the doors locked.
2 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED Of the 5 suspects sent to the courthouse, Iranian nationals Majid Sohafi and Hojjat Shabanlouei, along with G.İ.K., were arrested on charges of 'intentional murder, robbery, and aiding a criminal.' The other suspects were released under judicial control.
AGGRAVATED LIFE SENTENCE REQUESTED In the indictment prepared by the Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the death of Prof. Dr. Bekir Karasu; it was requested that Iranian nationals Majid Sohafi and Hojjat Shabanlouei be sentenced to 12 years for 'sexual assault,' aggravated life imprisonment for 'intentional murder with monstrous feelings or torture,' and 10 to 15 years for 'qualified robbery.'
In the indictment accepted by the Eskişehir 3rd Heavy Criminal Court; a prison sentence of up to 47 years and 6 months was requested for the suspects G.İ.E. and the non-arrested suspect H.Y. for allegedly aiding the Iranian suspects in intentional murder, sexual harassment, and robbery. For the other non-arrested suspect F.T., a sentence of 27 years and aggravated life imprisonment was requested for allegedly instigating intentional murder, sexual assault, and robbery.
Majid Sohafi THEY BLAMED EACH OTHER During the hearing of the case at the Eskişehir 3rd Heavy Criminal Court, detained suspects Majid Sohafi and Hojjat Shabanlouei, along with their lawyers, were present. The Iranian suspects claimed that they had no involvement in the murder, blaming each other instead.
"WE MET FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP" Detained suspect Majid Sohafi claimed that he met Prof. Dr. Bekir Karasu online 5 years ago and that they met on the day of the incident for a sexual relationship.
"I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE MURDER" Sohafi stated that Hojjat Shabanlouei saw a bundle of money in the trunk of Karasu's vehicle and that they made a plan, saying, "Hojjat made the plan and told me about it. Since I needed money, I went along with it. That day we went and bought gloves. The professor came and picked us up. We went to a restaurant in Bozüyük district of Bilecik and returned to Eskişehir. They talked about the relationship in the back of the vehicle in a secluded place. Hojjat pulled out a knife. He covered both the professor's mouth and nose and held the knife to his throat. The professor did not resist. Then he started to strangle him with his arms and later we carried him to the water's edge. Hojjat threw the professor into the water. Then we fled. I have no connection to the murder. I do not accept the accusations," he said.
"I LEARNED ABOUT THE PROFESSOR'S DEATH AT THE POLICE STATION" Hojjat Shabanlouei also denied the accusations, stating, "I did not see any money in the trunk. We were sitting in the back seat together on the way. The professor was hugging me and crying. Majid stopped the car somewhere by the side of the road. Majid told me, 'Stay in the car, we have things to talk about.' The professor and Majid got out of the car. I stayed in the car. 20 minutes later, Majid came back alone. I was busy with my phone. I did not hear any sounds. I asked, 'Where is the professor?' He said, 'I gave the professor sleeping pills.' He cleaned the car. A knife also came out of his pocket. He held the handle part and threw it into the water. When I asked him why he did these things, he said, 'Don't interfere, don't ask me questions.' We went by taxi to a place near the terminal. Then the suspects G.İ.E. and H.Y. came. We went to Adana. I learned about the professor's death at the police station. I have no crime," he said.
2 SUSPECTS RECEIVED AGGRAVATED LIFE SENTENCE After the other defenses, the court panel sentenced Iranian suspects Majid Sohafi and Hojjat Shabanlouei to aggravated life imprisonment for the charge of 'qualified intentional murder' and 13 years in prison for the charge of 'robbery.' The two Iranian suspects were acquitted of the charge of 'sexual assault,' while the other suspects were acquitted of all charges.