27.06.2026 11:53
A verdict has been reached in the case of the Böcek family, who died from poisoning after pesticide fumigation at their hotel in Istanbul, where they were vacationing from Germany. The pest control company owners were sentenced to 18 years, and the hotel owner to 13 years.
The trial regarding the deaths of Kadir Muhammet Böcek (6), Masal Böcek (3), mother Çiğdem Böcek, and father Servet Böcek, who arrived in Istanbul from Germany on November 9, 2025, were hospitalized on November 13, 2025 under suspicion of poisoning, and subsequently died, was heard at the Istanbul 30th Heavy Penal Court.
Attending the hearing were 6 defendants (4 of whom were in custody), the lawyers of the parties, and relatives of the deceased Böcek family.
HERE ARE THE SENTENCES GIVEN TO THE DEFENDANTS
The verdict was announced in the case concerning the death of the Böcek family due to poisoning at the hotel where they were staying. The court sentenced defendant Hakan Oğlak to 13 years and 4 months, defendants Serkan Kışı and Zeki Kışı to 18 years each, and defendant Doğan Cağferoğlu to 12 years, 2 months, and 20 days in prison. Defendants Muhammad Moeen Ud In Chıshtı and Rustemshea Batyrov were acquitted.
OPINION
The head of the court panel announced that the public prosecutor had submitted their opinion on the merits of the case to the file during the adjournment.
In the prosecutor's opinion, it was stated that according to the report of the Forensic Medicine Institution, it was determined that the deceased died as a result of poisoning linked to the chemical applied to kill insects at the hotel where they were staying.
The opinion stated that DSS pest control company officials Zeki Kışı and Serkan Kışı used the wrong chemical (aluminum phosphide), employed unauthorized personnel, carried out the procedure without taking necessary safety precautions, and did not have the authority or certificates for biocide application, thus operating without a permit.
The opinion emphasized that company employee Doğan Caferoğlu performed the procedure despite having no certification in pest control and failing to exercise due care. It also stated that hotel owner Hakan Oğlak worked with unauthorized and unqualified individuals, approved the pest control activity using inappropriate biocidal products without occupational health and safety measures, did not evacuate the hotel during the chemical-risk procedure or have emergency personnel, thereby violating his duty of care.
The opinion noted that receptionist Muhammad Moeen Ud Dın Chıstı left his post at the reception during the incident due to discomfort from the odor caused by the pest control. It stated that this individual kept the hotel's external doors locked, hindering emergency evacuation, and displayed negligent and dangerous behavior.
In the opinion, it was requested that defendants Zeki and Serkan Kışı, Doğan Caferoğlu, Hakan Oğlak, and Muhammad Moeen Ud Dın Chıstı be sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 22 years and 6 months each for the crime of "causing the death of more than one person through conscious negligence."
Regarding defendant Rustemsha Batyrov, it was requested that he be acquitted, considering his lack of involvement in the pest control, his absence from the hotel at the time of the incident, and that he had delegated his duty to defendant Chıstı, as the legal elements of the crime were not established.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was requested that defendants Serkan Kışı, Zeki Kışı, Doğan Cağferoğlu, Hakan Oğlak, and Muhammad Moeen Ud In Chıshtı be punished with prison terms ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 22 years and 6 months each for the crime of "causing the death of more than one person through conscious negligence." For Rustemsha Batyrov, a prison sentence of 2 to 15 years was sought for the crime of "causing the death of more than one person through negligence."
The indictment records that in the poisoning incident that occurred in Fatih on November 13, 2025, Çiğdem Böcek and her children Kadir Muhammet Böcek (6) and Masal Böcek (3) died as a result of poisoning, and father Servet Böcek, who was receiving treatment for the same incident, died on November 17, 2025.
The indictment states that due to the health condition of the deceased, their statements could not be taken. It was initially assessed that the incident was due to food poisoning, and the investigation was expanded concerning the places where the victims ate before the incident. In this context, the owners of the businesses where the victims ate kokoreç, mussels, Turkish delight, pastries, and drank soft drinks were identified.
The indictment notes that samples taken from products at these establishments were submitted to the District Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock.
According to the autopsy report prepared by the 1st Forensic Medicine Specialization Board, the deaths occurred as a result of poisoning linked to the chemical applied to kill insects at the hotel where they were staying, as stated in the indictment.
The expert report included in the indictment emphasizes that the deaths did not result from food poisoning in this incident, and therefore, the food businesses mentioned in the file had no fault in the matter.
According to the expert report, due to the use of the wrong chemical (aluminum phosphide), employment of unauthorized personnel, and carrying out the procedure without necessary safety precautions, the indictment records that the officials of the uncertified and unlicensed pest control company, defendants Zeki Kışı and Serkan Kışı, were primarily at fault. It also states that defendant Doğan Cağferoğlu, a company employee, was primarily at fault because he carried out the procedure despite having no certification, knowledge, or experience in pest control.
In the report included in the indictment, hotel owner defendant Hakan Oğlak is shown as primarily at fault for working with unauthorized and unqualified individuals, approving the pest control activity using inappropriate biocidal products without taking occupational health and safety measures, failing to evacuate the hotel during the chemical-risk procedure and not having emergency personnel, thereby severely violating his duty of care to ensure the life safety of the guests.
SOURCE: İHA, AA