Network of child hitmen in Serdar Öktem murder revealed: The escape plan after the attack

Journalist and BirGün columnist Timur Soykan, in his article regarding the murder of lawyer Serdar Öktem, detailed how gangs utilize children as hitmen.

Soykan stated, "Hitmen form the smallest gear in this massive machine built by barons and the new generation of gangs. Children and young people in backstreets who have no future and no education have turned into an unlimited human resource for gangs."

FROM SAFE HOUSES TO CAR WASHES: A MAP OF THE GANG NETWORK

It was noted that the Serdar Öktem murder also exposed the systematic network gangs have established using safe houses, hotels, and vehicles filled with weapons.

According to the investigation file, 23-year-old Sidar Öz was among those who planned the murder. The son of a family originally from Diyarbakır, Öz lived in Esenler and was a high school graduate. He had previously served 1.5 years in prison for possession of an unlicensed firearm. He was also being tried for credit card fraud.

According to Sidar Öz's statement, Alican Çakır (real name Ali Gulmalizada), one of the gang leaders, called him via Facetime, threatened him, and forced him to commit the murder.

Öz claimed that he was forced to commit the murder after Çakır threatened to harm his family.

Under Çakır's direction, the hitmen, who stayed in various safe houses in Esenler, Bahçelievler, Yenibosna, and Esenyurt, were given phones without SIM cards but with Wi-Fi connectivity.

These phones could only be used for communication with Alican Çakır.

One week before the murder, the office location of lawyer Serdar Öktem was sent by Çakır.

The hitmen waited in the Şişli area from 07:00 to 14:00, but returned when Öktem did not arrive.

A few days later, his home in Ataköy was targeted. The plan was postponed again when Öktem was not seen there.

On the day of the murder, Çakır gave the order via Facetime, saying, "Go after him."

Three people sitting in the back seat took the weapons from the trunk. Sidar Öz and 18-year-old M.K. carried Kalashnikovs, while the other hitmen participated in the attack with handguns.

The attack was carried out when Öktem's vehicle got stuck in traffic on Barbaros Boulevard.

Çakır shouted "Get out, get out" over Facetime; the hitmen put on their masks and opened fire.

After the attack, the gang members celebrated, saying, "Caner's revenge has been taken."

THE ESCAPE PLAN AFTER THE ATTACK

Immediately after the attack, the gang members were directed to a house in Arnavutköy.

There, they changed the license plates on the vehicle and put on spare clothes.

The weapons and the clothes used in the attack were thrown into a wooded area.

However, the taxi they boarded during their escape was stopped by the gendarmerie, and the hitmen were captured.

UNEDUCATED AND UNEMPLOYED YOUTH ARE GANG TARGETS

One of the hitmen, Semih Aydın, was 19 years old, a middle school graduate, and had worked as a waiter for a time.

Ejder Parlak was an 18-year-old living in Gaziantep, unemployed, and had a criminal record for drug-related offenses.

Other hitmen, M.K. and C.Ü., were also under 18 and were brought to Istanbul from Gaziantep by bus.

When they arrived in Istanbul, they first stayed at a hotel named "Lara" in Gaziosmanpaşa.

It was also determined within the scope of the investigation that this hotel was frequently used by gang members.

"CHILDREN ARE BEING TURNED INTO KILLING MACHINES"

In his article, Soykan stated that these structures do not consist solely of hitmen, and that there are barons and organizers in the background.