30.06.2026 11:31
The third hearing in the murder case of 22-year-old university student Ayşe Tokyaz, who was killed by former police officer Cemil Koç in Istanbul and whose body was left in a suitcase by the roadside, is taking place today. Speaking before the hearing, her sister Esra Tokyaz said, "This time I will not fall for the defendants' manipulations. Today, I will also laugh with pain, just as they did. After everything comes to light, I will grieve."
The 22-year-old university student Ayşe Tokyaz, who was killed by former police officer Cemil Koç in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece district on July 11, and whose body was placed in a suitcase and left on the roadside in Eyüpsultan, had her case heard for the first time on December 29, 2025, with 9 defendants, including the murder suspect Cemil Koç, appearing before a judge. The hearing held at the Küçükçekmece 2nd Heavy Penal Court was attended by the detained defendants, including Cemil Koç among the 9 suspects, the complainants twin sister Esra and mother Halime Tokyaz, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and many members of the press.
The second hearing regarding the incident took place on March 24. Cemil Koç connected to the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBIS). In the second hearing, the cases of police officers N.Ç. (44) and Z.B. (31), who were alleged to have shared the statement Esra Tokyaz gave at the police station one day after the incident with Cemil Koç, were merged with the murder case at the Küçükçekmece 7th Criminal Court of First Instance, increasing the number of defendants to 11.
Defendant former police officer Cemil Koç THE TRIAL WILL CONTINUE TODAY Meanwhile, the third hearing of the case related to the incident will continue today at 10:00 AM at the Küçükçekmece 2nd Heavy Penal Court. The parties are expected to attend the hearing, and witness statements will be taken.
ESRA TOKYAZ: I WILL LAUGH WITH PAIN LIKE THEY DO Ayşe Tokyaz's sister Esra Tokyaz said in a statement before the courthouse before the hearing began, "I will not fall for the manipulations of the defendants this time. I will do as they do. I will bottle everything up. Today, I too will laugh with pain like they do. After everything comes to light, I will grieve. Because I am truly very tired."
FROM THE INDICTMENT In the indictment prepared by the Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Ayşe Tokyaz is listed as "deceased," her twin sister Esra Tokyaz as "complainant," and 9 individuals, including suspect Cemil Koç (38), as "suspects."
The indictment states that on the day of the incident, complainant Esra Tokyaz went to the Küçükçekmece Halkalı Police Station to give a statement. In her statement, she said she had a video call with her sister Ayşe Tokyaz, during which she saw bruises on her sister's face and mouth and that she was covered in blood. Ayşe told Esra that she had been assaulted by Cemil Koç and shared her address with her sister. Esra Tokyaz went to the given address to see her sister, and Cemil Koç opened the door. Cemil Koç told Esra Tokyaz that her sister was not there. Subsequently, Esra Tokyaz searched for Ayşe Tokyaz for 3 days, and after failing to find her, she reported the situation to the police and filed a complaint against Cemil Koç, alleging he had assaulted and detained her sister.
KOÇ HAS 8 CRIMINAL RECORDS INCLUDING 1 SUSPICIOUS DEATH AND 3 INTENTIONAL INJURIES The indictment notes that Cemil Koç and Ayşe Tokyaz had been in a relationship for some time, and Koç was dismissed from his position as a police officer. It further states that Koç has 8 criminal records in total, including 1 suspicious death, 3 intentional injuries, and 1 threat. The indictment also describes that the deceased Tokyaz sometimes stayed at the defendant Koç's home, and most recently went to the residence on July 7, 4 days before the incident. There she had a fight with Cemil Koç. After the fight, Tokyaz returned to her student dormitory in Beşiktaş, where she called her sister, complainant Esra Tokyaz, via video. During the call, there were ecchymosis and bleeding on her face, and she told her sister she had been assaulted by Cemil Koç. Esra Tokyaz then came to the scene with Cemal Arslan, who had arrived at her side. Cemil Koç opened the door. Esra Tokyaz asked about Ayşe Tokyaz after handing over the rings, and Cemil Koç said she had left the house. Seeing Ayşe's shoes in front of the door, Esra Tokyaz feared for her sister's life and applied to the police station.
FORENSIC MEDICINE REPORT: COCAINE SUBSTANCES FOUND IN TOKYAZ'S BODY The autopsy report prepared by the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) Istanbul Morgue Specialization Department is also included in the indictment. The report states that various types of cocaine substances were found in Ayşe Tokyaz's body, and narcotic or stimulant substances were present in her gallbladder and urine. It was determined that the death of the deceased Ayşe Tokyaz, in whose bodily fluids stimulant metal metabolites were found, occurred as a result of a nasal bone fracture due to blunt head trauma accompanied by brain hemorrhage. It was also reported that she had a brain hemorrhage, blood stains were found on her clothing, and there were signs of assault on her skull and lower lip.
AGGRAVATED LIFE IMPRISONMENT REQUESTED FOR CEMİL KOÇ AND THE DEFENDANT WHO ASSISTED HIM In the prepared indictment, an aggravated life sentence was requested for defendant Cemil Koç for the crime of "premeditated murder of a woman with monstrous cruelty causing torture," and prison sentences ranging from 4 to 15 years for the crimes of "depriving a person of liberty using force, threat, or deceit" and "blackmail." For the other 7 detained defendants, prison sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years were requested for the crime of "aiding the premeditated murder of a woman with monstrous cruelty causing torture." Since it was determined that Oğuz Kal participated in the crime committed by suspect Cemil Koç, an aggravated life sentence was requested for the crime of "participation in the premeditated murder of a woman with monstrous cruelty causing torture" and a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 12 years for other crimes.