05.06.2026 16:20
A verdict has been announced in the case of six defendants, including Mihraç Ural, the leader of the terrorist organization THKP-C/Acilciler, regarding the bomb attacks in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay on May 11, 2013, which killed 53 people. The court sentenced defendants Memet Gezer, Temir Dükancı, and Cengiz Sertel to 53 life sentences without parole and an additional 3,921 years in prison.
The verdict was announced in the case concerning the bomb attacks in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay on May 11, 2013, which killed 53 people, where 6 defendants, including Mihraç Ural, the leader of the THKP-C/Acilciler terrorist organization, were tried.
At the hearing in Ankara 9th Heavy Penal Court, detained defendants Memet Gezer, Mohammad Dib Korali, Temir Dükancı, and Cengiz Sertel participated via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBIS) from their prisons, while the lawyers of the parties were present in the courtroom.
The President of the Court informed defendant Korali that the lawyer appointed by the bar association had withdrawn two hours before the hearing, and the newly assigned counsel requested time for defense.
The President stated that, considering the case having reached the decision stage, detention periods, the arrival of the involved parties from Hatay, the intensive preparations for the hearing such as bringing the defendants, and procedural economy, the file of defendant Korali was separated from the main case to avoid delaying the trial.
The defendants, asked for their final statements, claimed they had no connection to the terrorist attack.
After the lawyers' statements, the court announced its verdict, sentencing defendants Memet Gezer, Temir Dükancı, and Cengiz Sertel to a total of 53 aggravated life sentences: once for the crime of "undermining the unity and integrity of the state" and 52 times for the crime of killing 52 people, including 5 children.
Additionally, the defendants were sentenced to a total of 3,921 years in prison: 2,600 years for the crime of "attempted murder" of 130 people, including 28 children; 13 years and 4 months for "unauthorized possession of explosives" within the scope of terrorist organization activities; 13 years and 6 months for "injuring victims in a way that damages sensory organs"; 20 years and 3 months for causing a woman to miscarry due to injuries; 20 years and 3 months for "simple assault" against 3 people; 1,206 years for "property damage" against 134 victims; and 48 years for "damage to public property" due to damage caused to the Reyhanlı Police Department, municipality, PTT, and notary office.
The court decided to separate the files of defendant Korali, whose lawyer requested time, as well as fugitive defendants Omar Alkhatıp and Mihraç Ural.
With the verdict, the continued detention of the defendants was ordered.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
On May 11, 2013, in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay, two separate bomb terrorist attacks occurred, killing 53 people and injuring many others. In the explosions near the Reyhanlı Municipality and in front of the PTT building, 912 residences, 891 workplaces, and 148 vehicles were damaged.
The verdict in the Reyhanlı attack case, transferred to Ankara for security reasons, was announced on February 23, 2018. Accordingly, out of 33 individuals whose trial continued in connection with the bombing, 9 were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment, and 13 to various prison terms.
The court had separated the files of fugitive defendants, including Mihraç Ural, the leader of the THKP-C/Acilciler terrorist organization.
Yusuf Nazik, one of the planners of the Reyhanlı attack brought from Syria via a MIT operation, was arrested on September 24, 2018.
On May 13, 2019, Nazik was sentenced by Ankara 9th Heavy Penal Court to a total of 53 aggravated life sentences: once for "undermining the unity and integrity of the state" and 52 times for killing 52 people, including 5 children.
Mehmet Gezer, one of the fugitive defendants in the case, was brought from the USA on June 30, 2022, and arrested on July 7, 2022, by Ankara 9th Heavy Penal Court on charges of "premeditated murder" and "undermining the unity and integrity of the state."
Cengiz Sertel, one of those responsible for the attack and sought with a red notice, was caught on December 14, 2024, in coordination between the MIT Presidency and the General Directorate of Security, by teams from the Hatay Police Department.
Fugitive defendant Mohammad Dib Korali was captured in Syria on January 14, 2025, and Temir Dükancı on February 25, 2025, through operations by the MIT Presidency.
Defendants Omar Alkhatıp and Mihraç Ural remain fugitive in the case file.