15.10.2025 01:42
Last year, a family that came to see the wild horses at Hürmetçi Marsh in Kayseri was attacked by individuals demanding payment for photography services, who assaulted them with whips. The individuals, who also caused damage to the family's vehicles, are being prosecuted with a request for prison sentences of up to 10 years.
A.K. and his brother B.K., along with M.B.D. and O.K., are being tried for a total of up to 10 years in prison for three different crimes, including allegedly demanding payment for a photo shoot and threatening a family that came to see the wild horses in Hürmetçi Sazlığı in Kayseri, as well as damaging their vehicle. In court, the prosecutor's request for an additional indictment against the defendants for the crime of 'detaining transportation vehicles' was accepted, and the hearing was postponed.
THEY WERE ATTACKED WHILE TRYING TO SEE WILD HORSES
H.Ö., who lives in Istanbul, came to Hürmetçi Neighborhood in Hacılar district of Kayseri with his family in October last year to see the wild horses. A.K., who claims to be the owner of the wild horses, told H.Ö. and his family that the photo shoot was paid and demanded money. A dispute arose between H.Ö., who refused to pay, and A.K. A.K.'s employees also joined the argument. During the ensuing scuffle, H.Ö. and his family were threatened and assaulted, and their vehicle was also damaged. Following the publication of the recorded footage of the incident on social media, the teams of the Hacılar District Police Department initiated an investigation.
In this context, A.K. (55), B.K. (69), M.B.D. (19), and O.K. were apprehended. The suspects were detained for the crimes of 'Threat', 'Intentional injury', 'Insult', and 'Damage to property' and taken to the police station. After their procedures at the police station, the suspects were released under judicial control. The Hacılar District Governorate imposed a fine of 190,000 lira on A.K.
HE STRUCK WITH A WHIP BY CHARGING AT HIM WITH HIS HORSE
While the suspects threatening the family were undergoing procedures at the police station, footage related to the incident emerged. In the footage, H.Ö. is seen approaching A.K. and asking, 'Uncle, did you curse at my sister? Did you curse at my sister?' to which A.K. responds, 'I told you not to enter the area, but you are entering,' and charges at H.Ö. with his horse, striking him with a whip.
AN INDICTMENT WAS PREPARED
The investigation conducted by the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been completed, and an indictment has been prepared. In the indictment accepted by the Kayseri Criminal Court of First Instance, a total of up to 10 years in prison was requested for A.K., B.K., and M.B.D. for the crimes of 'damage to property', 'insult', and 'threat with multiple people'. In the indictment, A.K.'s statement was also included, in which he said, "They wanted to enter the area by force. I said, 'It is forbidden to enter the area, leave. It won't happen today, come another time. If you wait, I can help you in an hour.' I did not insult or threaten."
On the other hand, it was decided to combine the ongoing trial at the Kayseri Children's Court regarding O.K., who is under 18 and the son of suspect A.K., with the case at the Criminal Court of First Instance.
THE TRIAL HAS STARTED
In the first hearing of the case held at the Kayseri 16th Criminal Court of First Instance, the defendants A.K. and his brother B.K., along with their lawyers, were present in the courtroom. The defendants M.B.D. and the complainants did not attend the hearing. The defendant A.K., who claimed that his phone was stolen, stated, "While we were filming with the horse, he wanted to enter the area. There was a risk of being crushed. We asked him to shoot from the second filming area. His brother came and asked, 'Who cursed at my sister?' A scuffle ensued. I was on the horse. I chased after him to get my phone. Then he threw my phone. While I was running the horse, I had the whip in my hand. We were unaware that there were children in the car. I learned later. Our horses were seized. It felt like a setup against us. If the other side has any damages, I will cover them. My brother had a stick. During this time, he hit the back window of the car to give the phone," he stated.
"THEY GOT IN THE CAR AND LOCKED THEMSELVES IN"
B.K., one of the defendants not in custody, stated, "I was herding sheep. I had a stick in my hand. The woman came and took the phone that fell on the ground. She also took my cigarette. Then they got in the car and locked themselves in. We asked for the phone. We had no intention of beating anyone. What would we beat one guy for? They are already considered guests. When the horse got restless, it hit the right mirror of the car and broke it."
THE HEARING WAS POSTPONED
The court prosecutor, stating that the defendants prevented the victims' vehicles from moving, requested that a criminal complaint be filed with the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and an additional indictment be prepared for the crime of 'detaining transportation vehicles', and that this case file be combined with the aforementioned case.
The court judge, in an interim decision, found the prosecutor's request valid and decided to file a criminal complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the additional indictment, postponing the hearing to address the deficiencies.