29.07.2025 13:49
It has been revealed that the person who started the forest fire in Harmancık, Bursa, is Ufuk Aytekin, who was expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces due to connections with FETÖ. Aytekin, who confessed to his crime, stated, "I wanted to serve a life sentence" and used the excuse of mental health issues by saying, "I was using psychiatric medication."
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It has been revealed that the person responsible for the forest fire that has been ongoing for days in the Harmancık district of Bursa is Ufuk Aytekin, who was expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces due to his connections with FETÖ. The past of Aytekin, who was taken into custody, and the contradictory details in his statement drew attention.
EXPELLED BY A DECREE
Ufuk Aytekin, whose name came up in the FETÖ investigations conducted after the July 15 coup attempt, was expelled from the TSK in 2021 by a Decree Law (KHK). It was determined that Aytekin was referred to by the code name "Orhan" within the organization, used a payphone, and had contact with FETÖ's secret imams. Aytekin, who was subjected to proceedings in 2019, was officially dismissed from the TSK in 2021. The Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had previously opened an investigation against him.
CONFESSED HIS CRIME: I FOLLOWED THE DEVIL
In his statement given at the police station after the fire, Aytekin admitted his crime, stating that he bought gasoline from a gas station in the center of Harmancık on the evening of July 27, 2025, and then went to Kışmanlar Park to set the trees on fire. Aytekin, who said, "I was thrown out of the house, I have mental issues, I stopped taking psychiatric medications, I wanted to spend my life in prison," also admitted to fleeing the scene in a vehicle. However, his statement about wanting to spend life in prison and fleeing the scene created a contradiction. It was also noted that he sustained minor burns on his hands and feet during the incident.
DID HE BURN HIS PHONE ON PURPOSE?
The mobile phone found at the scene, which was largely burned due to the fire, also drew attention. Aytekin claimed that his phone fell out of his pocket and burned during the fire, but it was stated that he may have done this to destroy evidence. The Bursa Police Department found the phone at the scene in a partially burned condition, but it was reported that the device was damaged beyond use.
THERE IS FOOTAGE OF HIM BUYING GASOLINE
It was determined that Aytekin obtained the gasoline he used to set the forest on fire from a gas station he visited shortly before. Security cameras revealed that he was emptying water-filled containers into pots and filling the same containers with gasoline while talking on the phone.
POLITICAL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIAL PROFILE
Another interesting detail was that Aytekin stated on his social media account that he was the President of the Youth Branch of the İYİ Party in Harmancık. However, according to information obtained from the party, a membership form was given to him by his former boss, and although he filled out the form, no official membership record was made. Therefore, there was no formal party connection.
HE IS PORTRAYING A "MADMAN" IMAGE
The perpetrator, who claims to have mental health issues, leaving questions in people's minds with his "madman" image and the organized manner in which he carried out the fire. There has been a public debate about whether the incident was an individual act or an organizational provocation.
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