Chief Public Prosecutor's Office takes action: New development regarding courthouse thief

The incident occurred on December 1, 2025, at the Büyükçekmece Courthouse. According to information obtained, it was reported to the Public Prosecutor that Erdal T., an embezzlement officer working at the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Evidence Bureau, had not been coming to work for a long time. Upon this, the Chief Public Prosecutor, together with officials, had the evidence bureau room and the safes inside opened. During the search, it was determined that approximately 50 kilograms of silver and approximately 25 kilograms of gold were missing.

HE SENT A MESSAGE TO HIS FRIENDS SAYING, "MAY GOD GRANT YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR BUSINESS"

Upon the instruction of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an arrest warrant was issued for embezzlement officer Erdal T. and the other suspect, Kemal D. During the investigation, it was determined that embezzlement officer Erdal T. had fled to the UK with his family on November 19, 2025, at around 08:22. The other suspect, Kemal D., was apprehended at his location and taken into custody. On the other hand, it was learned that the suspect Erdal T. had written to his friends on the WhatsApp application, saying, "I sold the goods, may God grant you success in your business."

HE HAD BEEN WORKING AT THE COURTHOUSE SINCE 2021

Meanwhile, the investigation into the striking incident is being meticulously conducted by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. According to the information obtained, it was learned that the suspect Erdal T. worked in the service staff and did not have the key to the judicial evidence safe, but only had the key to the room. Furthermore, it was revealed that the other suspect taken into custody, Kemal D., had been working as an officer at the courthouse since 2021, that he held the keys to both the judicial evidence safe and the judicial evidence room, and that Erdal T. had started working there in 2022.

AN INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED IN THE OFFICE TWO MONTHS AGO

According to the information obtained, it was learned that the judicial evidence door was a steel door operating with a double-key system, that these safes were inspected every two months, that the last inspection was conducted two months ago, and that no irregularities were encountered. It was learned that the incident was noticed by the Public Prosecutor who was conducting the inspection during a routine check of the office.

IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE ITEMS WERE JEWELRY FROM THE FAKE CITIZENSHIP OPERATION

On the other hand, it was also revealed that the gold stolen by Erdal T. consisted of jewelry seized within the scope of an operation targeting 113 suspects detained as part of an investigation into fake citizenship based in Istanbul across 19 provinces.

RED NOTICE REQUEST FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

While the investigation conducted by the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues, the people with whom the individual might have established contact while carrying out the incident are being investigated one by one. As the investigation deepens, it was learned that a notification was sent to the Ministry of Justice to issue a red notice for the suspect Erdal T., who fled to the UK, and his wife, Esma T.

Additionally, the other suspect taken into custody, Kemal D., is expected to be referred to the courthouse in the coming hours.