16.10.2025 10:22
In Antalya, four defendants, who are not in custody, are facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly torturing Vedat Kurt in a warehouse where they locked him up for three days, breaking his teeth and forcing him to eat cockroaches. Describing the horror, Kurt stated, "I was tied up in a way resembling a pig's tie and was subjected to torture until morning. They held me hostage there for months, waiting for my wounds to heal."
Vedat Kurt (22), who came to the industrial site in Kepez district of Antalya in 2020 to work from his hometown Suruç in Şanlıurfa, started to receive his salary incompletely after working here for about 10 months, according to allegations.
HE TOOK 15 THOUSAND LIRAS FROM HIS BOSS AND WENT TO ISTANBUL
Kurt, who received negative responses every time he asked his boss for his salary, took 15 thousand liras belonging to his boss from the table at the workplace in exchange for his accumulated debt of 70 thousand liras and went to Istanbul. Unable to reach Vedat Kurt, the business owners contacted his family. Upon this, his brothers told Kurt to return the money he took.
THEY BROKE HIS TEETH AND FORCED HIM TO EAT COCKROACHES
Returning to Antalya and delivering the 15 thousand liras to the business owners, Vedat Kurt claims that he was tied to a chair and locked in a warehouse by A.T., O.T., S.T., and A.A. After being subjected to various tortures for 3 days, Kurt's teeth were broken, cuts appeared on his body, he was laid down with his hands and arms tied, and forced to eat cockroaches with his mouth held open.
THEY RECORDED THE TORTURE MOMENTS
The suspects recorded what they did on their mobile phones. Noticing that Vedat Kurt's condition was deteriorating while they kept him locked in the warehouse, the suspects allegedly waited for his wounds to heal. Continuing to work at the same workplace, Kurt escaped by taking photos of himself being tortured recorded on the suspects' mobile phone. Vedat Kurt later filed a complaint against the suspects.
20 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT REQUESTED
Four suspects, who are not in custody, appeared before the Antalya 6th High Criminal Court for the 14th time. In the hearing, the defendants' lawyers denied the accusations. In the prosecutor's opinion, the actions of the suspects were evaluated within the scope of 'Qualified robbery' and 'Deprivation of liberty', and a prison sentence of up to 20 years was requested.
“THEY MADE ME WAIT FOR MONTHS FOR MY WOUNDS TO HEAL”
Stating that the torture he experienced was unimaginable, Vedat Kurt said, "I was tortured by 4 people. It is visible in the photos, I was forced to eat cockroaches. I was tied up in a hogtie position and subjected to torture until morning. They held me hostage there for months so that I wouldn't file a complaint, waiting for my wounds to heal. They didn't even take me to the hospital; they tried to cover up the traces by applying wound healing ointments and medications obtained from pharmacies to my body. They kept me under observation until there were no signs of beating left, then they released me. When they let me go, I had no evidence left." he said.
“THEY SHOULD RECEIVE THE PUNISHMENT THEY DESERVE”
Kurt stated, "The trials have been ongoing for years. We have reached the 14th session, and the public prosecutor has presented his opinion. He specifically requested punishment for the crime of 'Deprivation of liberty'. My requests are not for revenge regarding the incident I experienced, but for these individuals to receive the punishment they deserve and to prevent similar incidents from happening to others."
“I BELIEVE JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL”
Kurt, who wants the suspects to receive the heaviest punishment, said, "I have personally witnessed the pain my mother has endured and the destruction it has caused. I want this case to serve as a lesson and for no mother to experience such a thing with her child. I believe that justice will prevail, and I trust the justice of the Republic of Turkey. I hope our requests are accepted, and no family has to endure such pain again," he said. After the statements, the court panel adjourned the hearing.