18.06.2026 14:40
Deputy General Manager of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) Culture Inc., Erhan Karaal, was assaulted and abducted by unidentified individuals in Maltepe on the evening of June 17. It was revealed that 'twin license plates' were used in the incident, while his wife Ayşe Karaal described the horrifying moments on live broadcast. The last signal from Karaal's phone was determined to have come from the Kartal area.
A mind-boggling kidnapping incident occurred in Istanbul's Maltepe district. Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of IBB Culture Inc., was attacked in front of his home around 9:00 PM last night by unidentified individuals, forced into a vehicle, and disappeared. Security forces have launched a comprehensive investigation to find the victim and apprehend the suspects.
WIFE DESCRIBES HORRIFIC MOMENTS ON LIVE BROADCAST
Ayşe Karaal, who experienced a great shock as her husband was kidnapped before her eyes, joined a live broadcast on Halk TV and recounted the moments second by second. Stating that the attackers were four or five people, Karaal said:
"Last night, my husband and I were going to the shore. Our daughter went ahead to tie her bike. Then, while I was with my daughter, there were 4 or 5 people in a car. Two people cornered my husband, hit him on the head, and threw him into the car. At that moment, our neighbor from the apartment building shouted, 'Erhan, Erhan.' We all went outside and immediately called 153. Thankfully, police teams intervened instantly. But since 9:00 PM last night, we have not been able to reach my husband Erhan Karaal at all."
VEHICLE TURNS OUT TO HAVE CLONE LICENSE PLATE
Ayşe Karaal, who said neighbors who rushed out at the moment of the incident tried to follow the kidnappers' vehicle but failed, shared the 'clone license plate' detail that changed the course of the investigation:
"Our neighbor had identified the car's license plate and model. Later, police officers found the exact same vehicle in the Altıntepe area. However, according to the information given to us, that car had not been started for three days. Probably, a second vehicle with the same model and same license plate had been prepared and used in the kidnapping."
LAST SIGNAL CAME FROM KARTAL
Technical surveillance data is also being evaluated in the meticulous work carried out by security units. Regarding the last signal received from her husband's phone, Ayşe Karaal said, "The phone signals were traced to the Kartal area. Police are continuing their investigations there, but no results have been obtained yet."
"WE HAVE NO ENEMIES, HE WOULD NEVER COMPROMISE ON A SIGNATURE"
Emphasizing that her husband had no disputes, debts, or receivables with anyone, Ayşe Karaal highlighted Erhan Karaal's honest stance in his business life:
"Everyone has been consulted, both at his previous workplace and at the institution where he currently works. Everyone describes him as a gentleman, respectful, good at his job, and an honest person. There was a saying from his old boss: 'Even if you kill Erhan, he would never sign if it’s not beneficial for the institution.' When I spoke with his new general manager, he said the same thing. Everyone who knows him says similar things."
Operations launched by police teams to trace the suspects and rescue Erhan Karaal safely continue non-stop across Istanbul.