Ayhan Bora Kaplan investigation continues: Report on police chiefs published

Ayhan Bora Kaplan In the inspector's report prepared regarding the high-level police officers mentioned in the case, it was stated that the necessary work and diligence were not shown to apprehend Serdar Sertçelik, a fugitive defendant in the case regarding the Ayhan Bora Kaplan criminal organization, from the date contact with him was lost.

The inspector's report, prepared regarding the high-level police officers mentioned in the allegations of Sertçelik, one of the defendants in the case against the Ayhan Bora Kaplan criminal organization, has reached the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The report stated that 9 days after contact with Sertçelik was lost, on December 5, 2023, the Ankara Provincial Police Department sent a letter to 80 provincial police departments and the Department of Anti-Migrant Smuggling and Border Gates, requesting sensitivity at all border gates and entry/exit points of provinces regarding the possibility of him fleeing abroad and his apprehension.

"NECESSARY DILIGENCE AND EFFORT WERE NOT SHOWN"

It was noted that it was assessed that the necessary work and diligence to apprehend Sertçelik were not shown from the date contact with him was lost.

The report recalled that Serdar Sertçelik was subject to judicial control requiring him "not to leave his residence" until the end of the investigation, and that the Ankara 2nd Criminal Court of Peace had ordered house arrest and the wearing of an electronic tag as of October 18, 2023; despite these, it was stated that Sertçelik fled abroad through illegal means.

The report stated that, in accordance with the provision in the article of the Criminal Procedure Code regarding the duties and powers of public prosecutors, which states that "public prosecutors shall directly conduct investigations regarding law enforcement officers and personnel who are found to have committed negligence or abuse in carrying out the oral or written requests and orders of public prosecutors," it was concluded that the discretion and execution of necessary actions belong to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

HISTORY OF THE INVESTIGATION

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation on May 6 following the allegations of Serdar Sertçelik, the fugitive defendant in the Ayhan Bora Kaplan criminal organization case.

Of the 10 suspects detained within the scope of the investigation, 7 were arrested on charges of "attempting to influence those performing judicial duties, experts, or witnesses," "disclosing secrets related to the duty," and "aiding and abetting a criminal."

While 2 of the suspects were released under judicial control, the processing of 1 suspect at the police station continues.

On the other hand, it was learned that the investigation into the suspects for the crime of "conspiracy to commit one of the crimes of attempting to violate the security of the state or the constitutional order," regulated in Article 316/1 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), is ongoing.